take your sweetheart away from you.

[Jean offers arm. They exit.]

[PANTOMIME.--Played as though the actress were really alone. Turns
her back to the audience when necessary. Does not look out into the
auditorium. Does not hurry as though fearing the audience might
grow restless. Soft violin music from the distance, schottische
time. Kristin hums with the music. She cleans the table; washes
plate, wipes it and puts it in the china closet. Takes off her
apron and then opens drawer of table and takes a small hand glass
and strands it against a flower pot on table. Lights a candle and
heats a hair pin with which she crimps her hair around her
forehead. After that she goes to door at back and listens. Then she
returns to table and sees the Countess' handkerchief, picks it up,
smells of it, then smooths it out and folds it. Enter Jean.]

JEAN. She is crazy I tell you! To dance like that! And the people
stand grinning at her behind the doors. What do you say to that,
Kristin?

KRISTIN. Oh, didn't I say she's been acting queer lately? But isn't
it my turn to dance now?

JEAN. You are not angry because I let myself be led by the
forelock?

KRISTIN. No, not for such a little thing. That you know well
enough. And I know my place too--