40 THE BEAUTIFUL DESPOT Master : Well, the stables will be burned too. They’re so near the house. (Smiles. To Fool.) True, fool ? Fool : A true fool! Master : Yes, I really am. To be the owner of estates with such a fine chase, and instead of shooting and enjoying myself in the open air ------------ Servant : How often didn’t I say to you in the town : the woodcock are dull without you, the wolves run about in the garden in the daytime, everyone says, “ Hhere’s master ? ” Master : Don’t tell me ; I’m laughing at myself. Servant : And you didn’t want to know ; you used to sit with those long-haired people, you used to write books for them, you were getting pale and thin ------ Companion : Next time I’ll go hunting too ! My costume’s been repaired. Servant : I can understand those long-haired vagabonds writing books; they haven’t got estates or health, and the colour of their faces isn’t worth spoiling. But you’re a rich gentleman, such a gentleman, that your little toe would show you were a gentleman, and then all of a sudden -----
