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Book, page 411 / 433 _Helmaar_ (_kneels and kisses her hand_). Speak on, excellent fool. _Christina and ladies_. Speak on, excellent fool--In came the Lady Eleonora, all in tears. _Fool_. In comes the Lady Eleonora, all in tears--(_pauses and looks round_). Why now, what makes you all so curious about these tears?--Tears are but salt water, let them come from what eyes they will--my tears are as good as hers--in came John Aleftson, all in tears, just now, and nobody kneels to me--nobody kisses my hands--nobody cares half a straw for my tears--(_folds his arms and looks melancholy_). I am not one of those--I know the cause of my tears too well. _Helm_. Perhaps they were caused by my unexpected return--hey? _Fool_ (_scornfully_). No--I am not such a fool as that comes to. Don't I know that, when you are at home, the poor may hold up their heads, and no journeyman-gentleman of an agent dares then to go about plaguing those who live in cottages? No, no,--I am not such a fool as to cry because Count Helmaar is come back; but the truth is, I cried because I am tired and ashamed of wearing this thing--(_throwing down his fool's cap upon the floor, changes his tone entirely_)--_I!_--who am brother to the man who saved Count Helmaar's life--I to wear a fool's cap and bells--Oh shame! shame! [_The ladies look at one another with signs of astonishment._] _Christina_ (_aside_). A lucid interval--poor fool!--I will torment him no more--he has feeling--'twere better he had none. _Eleon_. Hush!--hear him! _Aleft_. (_throwing himself at the counts feet_). Noble count, I have submitted to be thought a fool; I have worn this fool's cap in your absence, that I might indulge my humour, and enjoy the liberty of speaking my mind freely to the people of all conditions. Now that you are returned, I have no need of such a disguise--I may now speak the truth without fear, and without a cap and bells.--I resign my salary, and give back the ensign of my office--(_presents the fool's cap_).
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