Miss JULIE, aged twenty-five.

JOHN, a servant, aged thirty.

CHRISTINE, a cook, aged thirty-five.

The action of the play takes place on Midsummer Night, in the Count’s kitchen.

CHRISTINE stands on the left, by the hearth, and fries’ something in a pan. She has on a light blouse and a kitchen apron. JOHN comes in through the glass door in livery. He holds in his hand a pair of big riding boots with spurs, which he places on the noor at the back, in a visible position.

John. Miss Julie is mad again to-night—absolutely mad!

Christine. Oh! And so you’re here, are you?

John. I accompanied the Count to the station, and when I passed the barn on my way back I went in to have a dance. At that time Miss Julie was dancing with that man Forster. When she noticed me, she made straight for me and asked me to be her partner in the waltz, and from that moment she danced in a way such as I’ve never seen anything of the kind before. She is simply crazy.

Christine. She’s always been that, but never as much as in the last fortnight, since the engagement was broken off.

John. Yes, what an affair that was, to be sure. The man was certainly a fine fellow, even though he didn’t have much cash. Well, to be sure, they have so many whims and fancies. [He sits down at the right by the table.] In any case, it’s strange that the young lady should prefer to stay at home with the servants rather than to accompany her father to her relations, isn’t it?

Christine. Yes. The odds are that she feels herself a little embarrassed after the affair with her young man.

John. Maybe; but at any rate he was a good chap. Do you know, Christine, how it came about? I saw the whole show, though I didn’t let them see that I noticed anything.