I shall be happy to serve you in any proper way.
Hairpin
I am an old man, and I have a soft heart. But, I tell you truly, there is but one proper way you can serve me and that is with your body.
Justine
Dear God, is there no charity left among men?
Hairpin
I give that I may receive. Charity is nothing but the enjoyment of pride, and I hate pride.
Justine
Sir, with principles like these the poor must perish.
Hairpin
Let them. There are more people around than necessary as it is.
Justine
Do you believe children could respect their parents if they were treated like this?
Hairpin
What do children mean to a parent when they are troublesome?
Justine
They’d be better off smothered in the cradle.
Hairpin
Of course. Such has been the salutary custom in many countries. Soon we shall revive it here. Why let bastards and cripples burden the tax rolls? I look forward to the day when a perfectly rational economy will forbid charity and decree starvation for those who were so ignorant as to be born poor.
Justine (sobbing)
Oh, sir, it’s hard to be an orphan.
Hairpin
Why complain when it lies within your power to improve your situation?
Justine
At what price!
Hairpin
I shall not be stingy.
Justine
Beast! May heaven punish you as you deserve.
Hairpin (leaving)
I hate beggars.
(Enter Landlady.)
Landlady
You stupid little bitch. Think what you are doing.
Hairpin
I am an old man with a soft heart. She hasn’t treated me right. She made me so unhappy. (Hairpin wobbles toward the stairs)
Landlady
You fool! Do something!
Justine
What do you expect me to do?
Landlady
Go to him. Make it up with him. Whatever you do, behave like a lady.
Justine
Never.
(Hairpin wobbles downstairs and meets Juliette returning.)
Juliette
Have you seen my sister?
Hairpin
If that young slut is your sister, the answer is ‘yes.’
Juliette
What is wrong?
Hairpin
I am an old man, with a soft—how old are you?
Juliette
Just sixteen, sir.
Hairpin
And, you have been a good girl?
Juliette
Oh, yes sir. (winking at him)
Hairpin
I might do something for such a girl, if—
Juliette
If she were not determined to remain a good girl—?
Hairpin
Charming child. You read my mind. But, I should want proof that you have been a good girl till now.
Juliette
Sir, you can easily prove it yourself. I am prepared to submit to the most rigorous test.
Hairpin
Sweet angel. Will you be kind?
Juliette
No. I shall be very cruel. But, I am prepared to give every satisfaction.
Hairpin (exiting with Juliette)
Ah, I am so old—and my heart is so soft.
Landlady (to Justine)
As for you—since you’re so stubborn, you can go to jail for not paying the rent.
Blackout
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