DAVID BELASCO, JOHN LUTHER LONG
659
Yamadori. (To Sharpless.) She still fancies herself married to the young officer. If your excellency would explain. . . .
Madame Butterfly. (To Sharpless.) Sa-ey, when some one gettin' married in America, don' he stay marry?
Sharpless. Usually—yes.
Madame Butterfly. Well, tha's all right. I'm marry to Lef-ten-ant B. F. Pik-ker-ton.
Yamadori. Yes, but a Japanese marriage!
Sharpless. Matrimony is a serious thing in America, not a temporary affair as it often is here.
Madame Butterfly. Yaes, an' you can't like 'Merican mans. Japanese got too many wive, eh?
Sharpless. (Laughing.) We are not allowed more than one at a time.
Madame Butterfly. Yaes, an' you can't divorce wive like here, by sayin': "walk it back to parent"— eh??
Sharpless. O, no.
Madame Butterfly. Tha's right, aexactly. When I as' Lef-ten-ant B. F. Pik-ker-ton, he explain those law to me of gettin' divorce in those Unite' State'. He say no one can get aexcept he stan' up before Judge 2—3—4—7—year. Ver' tiresome. Firs' the man he got tell those Judge all he know 'bout womans; then womans, she got tell; then some lawyer quarrel with those Judge; the Judge get jury an' as' wha' they thing—an' if they don' know, they '11 all get put in jails. Tha's all right! (Folds hands.)
Yamadori. Your friend has told her everything she wanted him to tell her.
Madame Butterfly. (Who has paid no attention.) Tha's ver' nize, too, that 'Merican God.
Sharpless. I beg your pardon?
Madame Butterfly. Once times, Lef-ten-ant B. F. Pik-ker-ton—
Yamadori. (Aside to Sharpless.) Pinkerton again!
Madame Butterfly. He's in great troubles, an' he said "God he'p me"; an' sunshine came right out—and God he did! Tha's ver' quick—Japanese gods take more time. Aeverything quick in America. Ha—me—sometime I thing I pray large American God to get him back soon; but no use,—he don' know me where I live. (Attracted by a sound.) Wha's that? . . . You hear?
Sharpless. No. (Madame Butterfly runs to the window and listens; then takes up the glasses while Sharpless speaks in a low voice to Yamadori.) Lieutenant Pinkerton's ship was due yesterday. His young wife from America is waiting here to meet him. (At the word "wife" Yamadori smiles—takes his fan from his sleeve and fans himself. The Nakodo, who is listening, is struck by an idea and departs in such haste that he tumbles over one of Yamadori's attendants who jabbers at him.) I'm devilish sorry for that girl.
Yamadori. Then tell her the truth.
Madame Butterfly. Aexcuse me; but I always hearin' soun' like ship gun—ha—ha—tha's naturels.
Yamadori. (Preparing to go.) Good morning, Mr. Sharpless. (Shaking hands. Turning to Madame Butterfly.) I leave you today. Tomorrow the gods may prompt you to listen to me! (He bows.)
Madame Butterfly. (Bowing.) Mebby. (Yamadori and attendants go off, bowing. She turns to Sharpless.) Mebby not. Sa-ey, somehow could n't you let
that Lef-ten-ant B. F. Pik-ker-ton know they's other all crazy 'bout me?
Sharpless. Madame Butterfly, sit down. (While she, struck by his solemn manner, looks at him and obeys, he removes the tea-pot and sits on the stand, to the astonishment of Madame Butterfly.) I am going to read you part of a letter I have received from Pinkerton.
(He takes a letter from his pocket.)
Madame Butterfly. O, jus' let me look at those ledder! (She slips it under her kimono on her heart and with an indrawn breath, hands it back.) Now read quick, you mos' bes' nize man in all the whole worl'.
Sharpless. (Reads.) "Find out about that little Jap girl. What has become of her? It might be awkward now. If little Butterfly still remembers me, perhaps you can help me out and make her understand. Let her down gently. You won't believe it, but for two weeks after I sailed, I was dotty in love with her."
(Sharpless is amazed to see Madame Butterfly convulsed with silent joy.)
Madame Butterfly. Oh, all the gods how it was sweet!
Sharpless. Why really—
Madame Butterfly. Tha's what I'm afraid: that he loave' me so much he's goin' desert his country an' get in trouble
