relish. Why then sentimentalize over a drowning beggar? I wouldn't rescue a man who had fallen into the water much less one who had jumped in.
Young Man [passionately]. Sir—I despise you! [Goes into the crowd.]
[A man has succeeded in prying up the life buoy, now he throws it into the water with the warning cry "Look out."]
Artist. Love of one's neighbor is a mask. A mask that people wear to hide from themselves their real faces.
American [x to Artist Left]. No, I don't agree with you. I am strong for love of one's neighbor. Indeed, the Bible tells us to love our neighbor as ourselves. Oh, I am very strong for it. I go to Church on Sundays in the U. S. A. I never touch a drop—in the U. S. A.
Voice. The life buoy is sinking.
Another Voice. That's why they call it a life buoy. [Laughter.]
Cocotte [sympathetically]. How interestingly you talk. I love Americans.
American. We have two kinds of neighborly love back home. Neighborly love that makes for entertaining and dancing, and neighborly love that you read about next day in the newspapers.
Omnes [Workingman who has just entered.] [Right.] What's the matter here? [Elbows his way through the crowd.] Make way there! Let me through! [Throws off coat, tightens his belt, spits in his hand and jumps into the water.] [Great excitement.]
Young Man [center]. [Ecstatically.] A hero! A hero!
American [loudly but indifferently]. I'll bet sixty dollars that both of them drown!—Seventy! Seventy-five! [Contemptuously.] I can't get a bet around here. I'm going back to America.
[The Artist goes into the crowd.]
Cocotte [at table Left, alone with American]. Going back so soon?
American. As soon as I have seen Paris. Wouldn't you like to show me the town? I'll meet you to-morrow at four in front of the Opera House.
Cocotte. I'll be there. I like Americans.
The Mob [cheering]. He's got him! Hurrah! [The pole is outstretched.]
American. I'd like to know how much longer that waiter means to keep my dog waiting for her order of liver. [x to table Right.]
Young Man [comes down to table, joyfully]. He is saved; thank God he is saved. Weren't you sorry at all when that poor wretch jumped into the river?
American. Young man, is it my river?
The Mob [cheering again]. Hurrah! [Great excitement.]
[The Workingman and the Beggar are dragged dripping out of the water. They help the Beggar to a chair.]
Workingman [center]. [Shaking himself.] That was no easy job.
A Woman [left, center]. Take care what you are doing. You are wetting my whole dress.
Beggar. [Left.] [Whimpering.] Oh!—Oh!—Oh!—
Young Man [left]. [Shaking the Workingman's hand.] You are a noble fellow. I saw how brave you were.
Workingman [business like]. Did you? Then give me your name and address.
Young Man [gives him a card]. Jules Leboeof, Rue d'Hauteville.
Workingman. Who else saw it?
Beggar. Oh! Oh! Oh!
Workingman. Shut your mouth. Your turn comes next. Who else saw me save him?
Townsman. [R. C.] Aristide Beaurepard, Rue de Lagny, a14.
Townsman. Must you mix in everything? This is nothing to you. Do you want to get in trouble? You didn't see a thing. Why you just want to get in trouble? You didn't see a thing. Why you just this moment came. What do you want the address for, eh?
Workingman. Do you think I am taking cold baths for my health? I want to get a medal for life saving.
A Man. You have a chance to get an award from the Carnegie fund for life saving.
Workingman. Don't I know it. I read all about it in "Humanitie" yesterday. Do you think I'd have jumped in the water otherwise?
[A crowd has collected around the Beggar.]
Beggar. O God! O God! I'm soaking wet.
American [cold bloodedly.] Isn't that surprising?
Beggar. I am freezing. I am freezing to death.
Cocotte. Waiter, bring him a glass of brandy and charge it to me. [Waiter exit Right.]
Child [whimpering]. I am freezing too, Mama, I'm cold.
Townswoman. My poor little Phillip. [To her husband.] You never think of bringing a coat for the child. There, my darling, you shall have a cup of hot coffee right away.
Child. Coffee is pfui. I want brandy!
Townsman [sternly]. Brandy is not for children. You'll drink coffee.
Townswoman. Who says brandy is not for children? You get the most foolish ideas in your head. Hush, hush, my baby, you shall have some brandy.
American. They ought to offer a medal for the murder of certain kinds of wives.
Beggar. Oh! [Whimpering.] Oh, what a life I lead! What a life!
A Man [feeding sugar to the dog].
Beggar. I wish I were dead. Why did they pull me out? I want to die. What does life mean to me? What joy is there in life for me?
Artist. There will be less joy for you in death. [Laughter.]
Beggar. If I were only young. If I only had my two strong arms again. I never dreamed I would come to this. I never would have believed it—Forty years ago I was a workingman, yes, forty years until an accident—
Workingman. Were you a Union man, brother?
Beggar. Certainly—certainly. [Guardedly.] That is, I wasn't exactly a Union man but—
Workingman. What! Not a Union man. [Rushes at him.]
Townsman. What do you want to do to that poor man?
Workingman. Throw him back in the river. [He is held back.]
Beggar. Forty years I worked at the machine—and now I have nothing to show for it but diseased lungs.
Townswoman [decisively]. Aristide, we are going home. Tuberculosis is contagious.
Workingman.
