PETER
What is it?
CECILIA
You"ll see by and by....
PETER
Is my little table big enough for it?
CECILIA
We"ll hope so.
AMADEUS (_who is leaning against the piano, keeps looking at her all the time_)
CECILIA (_pretends not to notice him_)
ALBERT
You"re looking splendid.
CECILIA
I"m a little bit worn out.
AMADEUS
You must be hungry.
CECILIA
Not at all. We had something to eat in the dining car. Almost everybody did. But I do want a cup of tea. (_To the governess_) Will you see to it, please?
AMADEUS
Let me have a cup, too, and please see that I get a few slices of cold meat.
GOVERNESS
I have given orders for it already. (_She goes out_)
CECILIA
Have you really been waiting for me with the supper?
AMADEUS
No ... I haven"t been waiting. I ... simply never thought of it.
CECILIA (_to Albert and Marie_)
Why don"t you sit down?
ALBERT
No, we are going, my dear Cecilia. Let me congratulate you with all my heart--that will be enough for to-day.
MARIE
You have celebrated regular triumphs, they say?
CECILIA
Well, it wasn"t bad. (_To Amadeus_) Did you get my telegram?
AMADEUS
Yes, it pleased me tremendously.
CECILIA
Think of it, children! After the performance I was commanded to appear in the box of His Majesty!
ALBERT
Commanded...? Invited, I hope you mean! Neither emperor nor king has the right to command you.
CECILIA
You old anarchist! But what does it matter? One goes to the box nevertheless. And you would have done that, too.
ALBERT
Why not? One must, if possible, study every form of existence at close quarters.
AMADEUS
And what did the Emperor have to say?
CECILIA
He was very complimentary. Had never seen a better Carmen.
ALBERT
The very next thing he"ll order an opera for you from some Spaniard.[5]