[_Enter Tilly and Polly as in the first act, playing. For a long time they do not see the two men._]
Ah! Good morning, HE. We are rehearsing. You know it is very hard. Jack has just about as much music in his head as my pig.
[_Introducing, nonchalantly_]: My friend.... For the benefit performance? [_The clowns bow to the gentleman, making idiotic faces._]
Yes. What are you preparing? You are cunning, HE! Consuelo told me what you are preparing for the benefit performance. She leaves us soon, you know?
Zinida told us. Do you think she would get a benefit performance otherwise? She is a nice girl.
[_Taking his small flute-pipe_]: Here! Don't walk as if you were an elephant. Don't forget you are an ant! Come on! [_They go off, playing._]
[_Smiling_]: These are your new comrades? How strange they are!
This suit of yours. Black used to be very becoming to you. This one hurts the eyes.
[_Looking himself over_]: Why? It looks very nice. The rehearsal has begun. You must go away. You are disturbing us.
[_Slow strains of the Tango from a small orchestra in the ring._]
[_Listening absent-mindedly to the music_]: What question?
[_Who does not hear the music_]: I pray you to tell me: will you ever come back?
[_Listening to the music_]: Never, never, never!
Never, never, never! Yes, run along. And don't come back. There you were still bearable and useful for something, but here you are superfluous.
But if something should happen to you ... you are a healthy man, but in this environment, these people ... how will I know? They don't know your name here?
My name here is unknown, but _you will know_. Anything else?
I can be at peace? On your word of honour? Of course I mean, comparatively, at peace?
Yes, you may be comparatively at peace. Never! [_They walk to the door, the gentleman stops._]
May I come to the circus? You will allow me?
Certainly. You are the audience! [_Laughs._] But I shan't give you my card for a pass. But why do you want to come? Or do you like the circus so much, and since when?
I want to look at you some more, and to understand, perhaps. Such a transformation! Knowing you as I do, I cannot admit that you are here without any _idea_. But what idea? [_Looks short-sightedly at HE. HE grimaces and thumbs his nose._]