LOUISE. Now, I'll go in and watch the telephone—I suppose this storm will pass like all others.
MASTER. Men cannot bear independence. They want you to obey them. Every one of my subordinates in the department, down to the very messengers, wanted me to obey him. And when I wouldn't they called me a despot. The servants in our house wanted me to obey them and eat food that had been warmed up. When I wouldn't, they set my wife against me. And finally my wife wanted me to obey the child, but then I left, and then all of them combined against the tyrant—which was I!—Get in there quick now, Louise, so we can set off our mines out here.
The CONSUL enters from the left.
MASTER. Results—not details—please!
CONSUL. Let's sit down. I am a little tired.
MASTER. I think it has rained on the bench.
CONSUL. It can't be too wet for me if you have been sitting on it.
MASTER. As you like!—Where is my child?
CONSUL. Can I begin at the beginning?
MASTER. Begin!