John. No; I usually dream I’m lying under a high tree in a gloomy forest. I want to get up right to the top and look round at the light landscape where the sun shines, and plunder the birds’ nests where the golden eggs lie, and I climb and climb, but the trunk is so thick and so smooth, and it’s such a long way to the first branch; but I know, if only I can get to the first branch, I can climb to the top, as though it were a ladder. I haven’t got there yet, but I must get there, even though it were only in my dreams.
Julie. And here I am now standing chattering to you. Come along now, just out into the park. [She offers him her arm and they go.]
John. We must sleep to-night on nine Midsummer Night herbs, then our dreams will come true. [Both turn round in the doorway. JOHN holds his hand before one of his eyes.]
Julie. Let me see what’s got Into your eye.
John. Oh, nothing, only a bit of dust—it’ll be all right in a minute.
Julie. It was the sleeve of my dress that grazed you. Just sit down and I’ll help you get it out. [She takes him by the arm and makes him sit down on the table. She then takes his head and presses it down, and tries to get the dust out with the corner of her handkerchief.] Be quite still, quite still! [She strikes him on the hand.] There! Will he be obedient now? I do believe the great strong man’s trembling. [She feels his arm.] With arms like that!
John.[Warningly.] Miss Julie
Julie. Yes, Monsieur Jean.
John. Attention! Je ne suis qu’un homme!
Julie. Won’t he sit still? See! It’s out now! Let him kiss my hand and thank me.