JEAN.  I don’t know why—­but now I can’t either—­I don’t understand—–­ It is just as if this coat here made a—­I cannot command you—­and now, since I’ve heard the count’s voice—­now—­I can’t quite explain it—–­but—­Oh, that damned menial is back in my spine again.  I believe if the count should come down here, and if he should tell me to cut my own throat—­I’d do it on the spot!

JULIA.  Make believe that you are he, and that I am you!  You did some fine acting when you were on your knees before me—­then you were the nobleman—­or—­have you ever been to a show and seen one who could hypnotize people?

[JEAN makes a sign of assent.]

JULIA.  He says to his subject:  get the broom.  And the man gets it. 
He says:  sweep.  And the man sweeps.

JEAN.  But then the other person must be asleep.

JULIA. [Ecstatically] I am asleep already—­there is nothing in the whole room but a lot of smoke—­and you look like a stove—­that looks like a man in black clothes and a high hat—­and your eyes glow like coals when the fire is going out—­and your face is a lump of white ashes. [The sunlight has reached the floor and is now falling on JEAN] How warm and nice it is! [She rubs her hands as if warming them before a fire.] And so light—­and so peaceful!

JEAN. [Takes the razor and puts it in her hand] There’s the broom!  Go now, while it is light—­to the barn—­and—­ [Whispers something in her ear.]

JULIA. [Awake] Thank you!  Now I shall have rest!  But tell me first—–­ that the foremost also receive the gift of grace.  Say it, even if you don’t believe it.

JEAN.  The foremost?  No, I can’t do that!—­But wait—­Miss Julia—­I know!  You are no longer among the foremost—­now when you are among the—­last!

JULIA.  That’s right.  I am among the last of all:  I am the very last.  Oh!—­But now I cannot go—­Tell me once more that I must go!

JEAN.  No, now I can’t do it either.  I cannot!

JULIA.  And those that are foremost shall be the last.

JEAN.  Don’t think, don’t think!  Why, you are taking away my strength, too, so that I become a coward—­What?  I thought I saw the bell moving!—­To be that scared of a bell!  Yes, but it isn’t only the bell—­there is somebody behind it—­a hand that makes it move—–­ and something else that makes the hand move-but if you cover up your ears—­just cover up your ears!  Then it rings worse than ever!  Rings and rings, until you answer it—­and then it’s too late—­then comes the sheriff—­and then—­

[Two quick rings from the bell.]

JEAN. [Shrinks together; then he straightens himself up] It’s horrid!  But there’s no other end to it!—­Go!

[JULIA goes firmly out through the door.]

(Curtain.)

THE STRONGER

INTRODUCTION