ACT ONE – SCENE I
ROSIE: You must help me do the cooking. You know quite well that Mum has passed away and that I have much to do on my own.
CHARLES: All right, Rosie! I can do anything for you.
ROSIE: Oh, how nice you are!
CHARLES: I wonder why we are so poor in life.
ROSIE: God thus wants us to be.
CHARLES: If I were a millionaire, I would have taken you for a trip round the world.
ROSIE: Some are born rich and some are born poor.
CHARLES: But why should one be rich and another be poor?
ROSIE: You must put this question to God. He will be able to answer you.
CHARLES: I wish all men were equal on earth. Hence, no one would have been poor and no one would have been rich.
ROSIE: So you are in favour of communism in some way or other?
CHARLES: Precisely. But I am not against a democratic government either if only poverty won't exist at all.
ROSIE: Dad has not come home yet. He must be working hard today. It's already half past six.
CHARLES: I am very much in love with a girl these days. But I know quite well I'll never be able to marry her.
ROSIE: Please tell me who is the lucky girl?
CHARLES: The Mayor's daughter.
ROSIE: Who? Jane?
CHARLES: Yes!
ROSIE: You make me laugh. You are poor. She will never marry you, believe me!
CHARLES: I am of the same opinion. But how can I stop loving her? She is so charming.
ROSIE: Does she go to the same college as you?
CHARLES: Yes, she does.
ROSIE: Then, you see her every day?
CHARLES: Exactly!
ROSIE: Does she talk to you?
CHARLES: Never!
ROSIE: Will you listen to me? If you will do what I'll ask you to do, you will surely cut a striking figure in our country.
CHARLES: Come on, tell me what it is; I'll listen to you.
ROSIE: Give up your idea of marrying Jane. Rather work hard to come out with flying colours in your examinations. Hence, you will be able to do much and much for your country. You will be able to fight for your poor brothers who will take you as their idol and thus you will gain much popularity.
CHARLES: Thank you very much for your good advice.
ROSIE: You must behave well at college at all times. One day, if you become great, I'll be proud of you. Remember what Shakespeare has said: "Some are born great, some achieve greatness and some have greatness thrust upon them."
CHARLES: I promise you I won't marry unless I'll be the Prime Minister of Mauritius.
ROSIE: That's what I want you to be.
CHARLES: Please pray God to help me.