Volume 9 / Act 1 — SCENE VI
Reading edition
STEIN; the FORESTER.
STEIN (throwing down his cards).
Have I a single trump?
FORESTER (calling).
Twenty in spades.
STEIN (taking up his cards again; impatiently).
Why not forty? Talking about spades reminds me—have you considered that matter about the clearing?
FORESTER. That fellow is a—
[They continue to play.]
STEIN.
What fellow?
FORESTER.
The fellow who hatched that scheme.
STEIN.
Do you mean me?
FORESTER.
Your Godfrey there—
STEIN (getting excited: with emphasis).
My Godfrey?
FORESTER (growing more and more calm and cheerful).
Well, for all I care, mine, then.
STEIN.
Why do you always drag him in?
FORESTER.
Never mind him, then.
STEIN.
As if I—it is you—whenever an opportunity offers, you, you drag him in. You can't get rid of him. Like dough he sticks to your teeth.
FORESTER (very calmly).
As, for example, just now.
STEIN.
You have made up your mind to annoy me.
FORESTER.
Nonsense! You only want to pick a quarrel. STEIN. I? But why do you immediately trump, when I play a wrong card?
FORESTER.
Playing a wrong card means losing the game.
STEIN (throwing down his cards).
Well, there you have the whole business!
[Jumps up.]
FORESTER. I deal.
[Shuffles calmly and deals.]
STEIN (has taken a few steps).
I am not going to play any more with you.
FORESTER (unconcerned).
But it is my turn to deal.
STEIN (sits down again).
Obstinate old fellow!
FORESTER.
You immediately lose your temper.
STEIN (taking his cards; still angry).
You would not give in, even if it were as clear as day that you are wrong!