So Runs the World Part 15

Doctor.--You may sell your perspicacity at another market. It is my personal affair.

Anton.--Not at all, for it means that you put only half your soul into public affairs. To the deuce with such business! Look at me. They howl at me in the newspapers, they laugh at me--but I do not care. I will tell you more! I feel that I shall never rise, although I am not lacking in strength nor intelligence. I could try to get the first place in camp to command, but I do not do it. Why? Because I know myself very well. Because I know that I am lacking in order, authority, tact. I have been and I am a tool, used by such as you, and which to-morrow may be kicked aside when it is no more needed. But my self-love does not blind me. I do not care most for myself--I am working for my convictions--that is all. Any day I may be ousted from my position. There is often misery in my house, and although I love my wife and children--no matter. When it is a question of my convictions, I will work, act, agitate. I put my whole soul in it. And for you, the petticoat of a princess bars your way. I did not expect this from you.

Tfu! spit on everything and come with us.

Doctor.--You are mistaken. I have no desire for martyrdom, but for victory. And the more personal ties there are between me and public affairs, the more I will serve them with my mind, heart, and deeds--with all that const.i.tutes a man. Do you understand?

Anton.--Amen. His eyes s.h.i.+ne like the eyes of a wolf--now I recognize you.

Doctor.--What more do you wish?

Anton.--Nothing more. I will only tell you that our motto should be: Attack the principles, and not the people.

Doctor.--Your virginal virtue may rest a.s.sured. I shall not poison any one.

Anton.--I believe you, but I must tell you that I know you well. I appreciate your energy, your learning, your common sense, but I should not like to cross you in anything.

Doctor.--So much the better for me.

Anton.--But if it is a question of the n.o.bility, notwithstanding our programme I make you a present of them. You shall not cut their heads off.

Doctor.--To be sure. And now go and get to work for me--or rather, for us.

Anton.--For us, Jozwowicz. Do not forget that.

Doctor.--I will not swear it to you, but I promise you that I will not forget.

Anton.--But how will you manage that n.o.bleman?

Doctor.--Do you require that I make you my confidant?

Anton.--In the first place, I do not need your confidence, because in our camp we have sufficient perspicacity. There is the matter of the prince's daughter--that is all. But I am always afraid that for her sake you will abandon public affairs. As I am working for you, I am responsible for you, therefore we must be frank.

Doctor.--Let us be frank.

Anton.--Therefore you have said to yourself: I shall get rid of that n.o.bleman. Do it then. It is your business--but I ask you once more: Do you wish to become a member of parliament for us, or for the princess?

That is my business.

Doctor.--I throw my cards on the table. I, you, we are all new people, and all of us have this quality--we are not dolls, painted with the same color. There is room in us for convictions, love, hatred--in a word, as I told you, for everything of which a man of complex nature is composed. Nature has given me a heart and the right to live, therefore I desire for happiness; it gave me a mind, therefore I serve my chosen idea. One does not exclude the other. Why should you mix the princess with our public affairs--you, an intelligent man? Why do you wish to replace life by a phrase? I have the right to be happy, and I shall achieve it. And I shall know how to harmonize the idea with the life, like a sail with a boat. I shall sail more surely then. You must understand me; in that is our strength--that we know how to harmonize.

In that lies our superiority over others, for they do not know how to live. What I will amount to with that woman, I do not know. You call me a Hamlet--perhaps I may become a Hamlet, but you have no need of it.

Anton.--It seems to me that you are again right. But thus you will fight two battles, and your forces will have to be divided.

Doctor.--No! I am strong enough.

Anton.--Say frankly--she is betrothed.

Doctor.--Yes.

Anton.--And she loves her fiance.

Doctor.--Or she deceives herself.

Anton.--At any rate, she does not love you.

Doctor.--In the first place, I must get rid of him. In the mean while, go and work.

Anton (consulting watch).--In a few moments the committee will be here to see you.

Doctor.--Very well. The prince is coming with the Countess Miliszewska and her son, my opponent. Let us be going.

SCENE II.

Prince, Stella, Mrs. Czeska, Countess Miliszewska, Jan Miliszewski, Podczaski.

Countess.--It is impossible to understand. The world grows wild nowadays.

Prince.--I say the same. Stella, do I not say so?

Stella.--Very often.

Countess (low to her son).--Sit near the princess and entertain her.

Go ahead!

Jan.--I am going, mamma.

Countess.--There is too much of that audacity. I have sent Mr. Podczaski to the electors, and they say: "We do not need representatives without heads." I am only surprised that the prince is not more indignant. I rush here and there, I pray and work, and they dare to oppose to my son Mr. Jozwowicz.

Prince.--But madam, what can I do?

Countess.--And who is Mr. Jozwowicz--a physician? What does a doctor amount to? Jan has influence, importance, social position, relatives--and what has the doctor? From whence did he come here? Who ever heard of him? Really, I cannot speak calmly, and I think it must be the end of the world. Is it not, Mr. Podczaski?

Podczaski (saluting).--Yes, countess, G.o.d's wrath. There were never such loud thunders.

Prince.--Thunders? Mrs. Czeska, what? Have your heard thunder?

Czeska.--It is a very usual thing at the end of spring. Do not mind it.

Countess (in a low voice).--Jan, go ahead.

Jan.--Yes, mamma, I am going.

Countess.--Prince, you will see that Jan will not be elected purely on account of the hatred against us. They say that he does not know the country, and does not understand its needs. But before all we must not allow such people as Jozwowicz to become important in the country.

Prince, is it not so?

Prince.--He will not ask your permission.