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.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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