That's where you are completely mistaken. Why should I? You must remember that I have now reached the goal of all my desires: fresh air, and woods right by; horseback riding across meadows and fields; early morning seated in the big park, dressed in my kimono, and nobody daring to intrude. To put it plainly: no people, no manager, no public, no colleagues, no playwrights--though, of course, all are not as arrogant as your precious Sala.--Well, all this I have attained at last. I live in the country. I have a country house--almost a little palace, you might say. I have a park, and a horse, and a kimono--to use as much as I please. It isn't all mine, I admit--except the kimono, of course--but what does that matter? In the bargain, I live with the best people one could hope to find in this world. For my brother-in-law is, if possible, a finer fellow than Lora herself even. JULIAN Wasn't he rather making up to you once? IRENE I should say he was! He wanted to marry me at any cost. Of course!--It was always in me that they were at first--I mean that they always _have been_ in love with me. But as a rule the clever ones have gone over to Lora. In fact, I have always felt a little distrustful toward you because you never fell in love with Lora. And how much she is ahead of me--well, _you_ know, and it's no use talking of it. What all don't I owe to Lora!... If it hadn't been for her...!--Well, it's with them I have been living the last half year. JULIAN The question is only how long you are going to stand it. IRENE How long...? But, Julian, I must ask you what there could be to make me leave such a paradise and return to the morass where I (_in a lowered voice_) spent twenty-five years of my life. What could I possibly expect out of the theater anyhow? I am not made for elderly parts. The heroic mother, the shrewish dame and the funny old woman are equally little to my liking. I intend to die as "the young lady from the castle"--as an old maid, you might say--and if everything goes right, I shall appear to the grandchildren of my sister some hundred years from now as the Lady in White. In a word, I have the finest kind of a life ahead of me.--Why are you laughing? JULIAN It pleases me to see you so jolly again--so youthful. IRENE It's the country air, Julian. You should try it yourself for a good long while. It's glorious! In fact, I think I have missed my true calling. I'm sure the good Lord meant me for a milkmaid or farm girl of some kind. Or perhaps for a young shepherd. I have always looked particularly well in pants.--There now. Do you want me to pour a cup for you at once? (_She pours the tea_) Have you nothing to go with it? JULIAN I think there must still be a few crackers left in my bag. (_He takes a small package out of his traveling bag_) IRENE Thanks. That's fine. JULIAN This is quite a new fancy of yours, however. IRENE Crackers...? JULIAN No, nature. IRENE