Page:The life of the insects by Čapek brothers.pdf/26

Otto. I love you madly.

Clytie. I know—I know. Say ‘ninety-nine’.

Otto. Ninety-nine.

Clytie. Say it again.

Otto. Ninety-nine.

Clytie. How it rumbles in your chest—like thunder. Otto, you’re fearfully strong, aren’t you?

Otto. Cly-Cly-Cly——

Clytie. What ’s the matter now?

Otto. Love me, Clytie.

Clytie. Oh, don’t be tiresome.

Otto. Love me, love me now!

Clytie. (Flying off) Wait, wait, wait—don’t be impatient.

Otto. (After her) Love me, Clytie![Exeunt.

Tramp. There now—that poor male insec’!
⁠Well, I’m blest—
⁠Goin’ ’alf balmy for them flighty things! . . .
⁠As fer that kind of female—why, she ’s jest
⁠A man-trap ’idden be’ind two silky wings.

 

[Clytie flying in from the other side, and powdering herself at the mirror.

 

Clytie. Whew! Just managed to get away from him, only just!

Tramp. Ho! ’Igh Society, what? Powder yer nose,
Strip to yer waist—and let the rest show through!
Put it blunt-like—Lord Alf and Lady Rose
Be’ave exactly like them insec’s do.

Clytie. Are you a butterfly?

 

[Tramp throws his cap at her as if to catch her.

 

Aren’t you a butterfly?