Count—"Inaugurated by the Minister . . . leaves the farmer bewildered and quite helpless."
Paula—[As she writes, bows her head lower over the machine.] Helpless.
Count—"Now the farmer is devoted to the minister . . ." [His quick expressive glance meets her eye as she looks up.] ". . . but the minister does not love the farmer."
Paula—[Writing.] Farmer.
Count—"And can the farmer be blamed for feeling abandoned and betrayed?"
Paula—And betrayed.
Count—"But I, for one, know that his excellency, the minister of agriculture . . . belongs to the old school of honor . . . to those who will not abuse"
Paula—Abuse.
Count—"The faith that was placed in them."
Paula—The faith . . . [Stops writing suddenly.]
Count—"The farmer does not ask for sympathy. He wishes no allegiance that is not conscientiously felt. Yet he hopes, yet he believes he still can win the minister to"
Paula—[Sorrowfully.] He mustn't believe that, your excellency.
Count—Go on writing, Paula, that belongs in the speech. . . . And you may add that I too think that it is a forlorn hope, a mistaken belief, which
