Yes, dear uncle. If you were so determined upon giving a large dowry, you should have found another husband for Gertrude than myself.
[Riled.] Oh, hang you and your confounded pride!
Yes, I am proud; and because of my pride and determination, and, I may say, defiance, I have become what I am!
[Rather arrogantly.] And was there no diligence?
That, also, was nothing but defiance.
I almost believe you are determined to create another rumpus, as you did twelve years ago.
If necessary, yes!
And was it necessary, even then?
You ask me that question? When one day I came here, during vacation from college, you insisted upon my attending your church. I refused. You gave me my choice, either to do as you asked, or have my allowance cut off. Then I resolved in my mind never to comply with your command, in spite of everything. Oh, it is no pleasure to hunger, as I was forced to do then; but you may believe me, as I stand before you now, a free and independent man, I owe all of it to my stubborn confidence in myself, looking neither to right nor left, but straight ahead, without concessions, without falsehoods, always able to look every man straight in the face. And this good conscience is my proudest possession. From it do I draw all my strength, and I will never give it up.
Well, who the devil asked you to give it up?
And one thing more. Of course, I belong to this house; fate has made it my lot. Therefore it has ever been far from my mind to seek a wife elsewhere, so strongly attached do I feel myself to this house; and that would have been impossible, had I not from that day been a free man. And now, dear uncle, you are at heart a good and kind man; but your hand is heavy, and it must not lie upon me again as that of the master. For that reason do I refuse to touch even one penny of the dowry, now or any other time.
So, so! Then you are really afraid of me?
Afraid of you? Bah!!!
And at heart you are nothing but a coward!!
Uncle, I forbid you----
Youforbid me? Ha! This is my house, and here I am the master!
[Georgeshrugs his shoulders.]
Yes, yes; it seems to annoy you to have any one keep an eye on you and your conduct----
My life has been as an open book to this day.
But after to-day--what about that? Who can look into the future? Who can look into your heart and read your thoughts? Who knows what may happen over night, eh?
Uncle, these are insults I will not endure, even from you----
Well! What then! Come on! [Jumps up, facing him, ready to fight.]
[Enters, ready to go out, dressed.] Henry, what on earth have you done to Gertrude? She is in her room, crying as if her heart would break.
[Mariehas also come in withMrs. Brauer.]
How is the eggnog getting on, Marie?
It is not quite done, papa!
Then let her have her cry; she can bring it up later.
Yes, papa.
And are you ready?
Ready for what?
Are you ready to go now?
Well, wait for me out on the veranda; we have something to settle first, we two!
What's the matter with George?
Oh, I have just asked him for an explanation, and that does not seem to please him.
[Caressing him.] Don't you mind him, George dear. After the wedding you can laugh at him.
Well, we shall see about that!!!
[Mrs. BrauerandMarieexit.]
We can't go on like this, for I fear the consequences; but, nevertheless, I shall handle you without gloves.
Well?
My child loves you. You are her ideal, her all, and the wedding must take place. But tell me, what right have you to all this pride--I might even say arrogance?
Must I perhaps ask your permission----?
That is the same old defiance, the same unreasonable stubbornness of your father's!!!!!
[Starts.] My father has been dead these twenty years--what do you want of him now?
What do I want of him? That he left you to me, to bring up from childhood, I will hardly mention; although that ought to be sufficient to temper your untamable pride--at least towards me; but----
Uncle, you may abuse me as much as you please, but my father I will not have disturbed! My father--you shall let him rest in peace!
And who was it--who took care--who made it possible, that he could rest in peace?
Uncle, what do you mean?
Well then, who was it, when he laid there, dead, before us, who paid his debts of honor and saved your father's name from disgrace?
[Pause.]
Uncle, you should not have said that!
[Sinks in chair and covers his face with his hands.]
My boy----[Emotion stops him from saying more--walks about.] See here----[Again the same--tries to light a cigar, breaks it and throws it away.]
You should not have said that, uncle! No, no----
My God, you knew of it?
Yes, I knew of it, and yet you should not have said it; you should not have repeated it. Twelve years ago, in our quarrel, when you raised your whip to me--and I reached for the carving-knife--no, no--I should not have done that. You should not have raised your whip, nor I the knife. That is the reason I refused anything from you at all. Now you know it. From that day I swore to scratch the gold from the ground with my finger nails and fling it in your face. From that day I hated you--and rightly so!
And all that because I saved your and your father's name from dishonor and disgrace?
No!But because you turned that same deed into a weapon to crush my youthful pride.
My boy, one uses the weapon nearest to hand.
[Bitterly.] Even if it is only a whip. But then, I see my mistake. I have no right to pride; my fatherly inheritance does not permit it. Give me your gold! I'll take it! All--all!
No, no; in your present state of mind I will force nothing on you. You might again turn to hating me.
Ah no, dear uncle, that is past. Hereafter, I will swallow my pride.
My boy----
[Enters.] Pardon me papa, but mama asks, if you are not yet ready to go?
[With a glance atGeorge.] Well, as far as I am concerned, I am ready now! [Takes his hat.] Marie, give him a glass of brandy to brace him up. [Goes to door and returns.]. George?
Uncle? [Braueroffers his hand.] My hand I cannot refuse you.
[Goes to door. In door.] Yes, and your heart, too, I will win again--or I'll be damned!!!!
[Exits, slamming door.]
What did he say to you, George?
Do not ask me, do not ask me! [Walks about.] All these years I have struggled and deprived myself with only one thing in view--to be free--free--and yet I must bow--I must bow. If it were not for the sake of this beautiful child, who is innocent of it all, I would be tempted to---- But the die is cast, the yoke is ready--and so am I!!!!!!!
[Softly and hesitating.] But, George, dear, here in this house, I see nothing for you but love--the yoke seems so light----
How pious and tame you have suddenly become!
I am not pious.
What was that you said a few moments ago? "I am the calamity child. I am the child of misery; but I do not ask for charity." That is what you said of yourself, and it is also true of me. I, too, am a child of misery, a calamity child; but I am a subject of charity. I accept all they have to give--all--all--ha, ha, ha----!
You, George, a calamity child?
Yes! Was I not picked up from the street, as my uncle so kindly informed me for the second time--like yourself? Do I not belong to this house, and am I not smothered with the damnable charity of my benefactors, like yourself?
I receive my share with thanks.
And you enjoy serving----
I enjoy serving!!
But I--I wish to rule--to command!!!
And you shall rule--you shall command----
[Walking about and ironically.] Ah yes!!!
[Timidly.] George?
Well?
[The same.] Pardon me; but have you forgotten--?
Oh, I see!
I know it is wrong in me to annoy you at this time, when you are so occupied with affairs of your own---- Besides, you have already refused me once----
Wha--yes, now in spite of them all, I am my own master. I am responsible to no one. I have promised you--I shall keep my word!!!!!
Thank you, George!
Oh, don't thank me----
Where is she now?
She is waiting, behind yonder garden hedge.
My God! Do not keep her waiting any longer; call her in here.
Gertrude is still in the house.
I will get her out of the way. When I appear out there on the veranda, the coast is clear!!
Marie, for your own sake, I warn you for the last time; discovery means certain disaster.
One disaster more or less, it matters little!
Is that your last word? Very well, I will bring her to you. [Gets his hat and goes out centre door.]
[Opens door L. and calls out.] Gertrude! Gertrude!
[A door is heard to open.]
[Outside with crying voice.] What is it?
Come quickly, or papa will be angry!
[After a moment's pause.] I am coming! [Another short pause and she appears in door.]
How red your eyes are! You have been crying! What's the matter, dear? [Caressing her.]
Where is George?
[Lightly.] He went out again a few moments ago.
And he didn't ask to see me?
He heard you were crying and did not want to disturb you.
But, Marie, what is the matter with your own eyes? And you look so queerly----
My pet, they are the eyes that God has given me and----
[Suspiciously.] What?
[A knock at door is heard.]
Come in!
[Enters with basket.] Here are the eggnog and cakes, for the pastor. Now be careful and don't crush them!
Very well!
[ExitServant.]
[Taking basket.] Good-bye, Marie!
Good-bye, Gertie dear!
[Gertrudestarts towards centre door.]
[Frightened.] Where are you going?
I am going through the garden across the fields; perhaps I will meet George.
[Concerned.] No, no; you must not walk across the fields alone. Papa has forbidden it.
But I may meet George.
But if you shouldn't, what then? No, no, I will not allow it! I will not! I had such a fright last night.
[Goes up to the other door and turns back once more.] Marie, you are not angry with me?
[Embracing her.] My darling!!!
Then I will go that way! [Looks all around.] Give my love to George!
But I won't see him, dear----
Well, perhaps you may!
In that case, I will tell him----
Very well.
[Exit R.]
[Mariegoes out on veranda--gives sign--returns--locks doors R. and L.--then at C. door--in terror, with searching eyes, she slowly retreats backwards, her eyes glued on the outer darkness--until she finally covers her face with her hands, and is standing against the wall.]
[Enters.] Here she is!!
[Enters.Georgegoes out on veranda, looking off.] Mine lady, mine daughter--yes--don't be afraid. Oh, you are such a fine lady--you have lover--you marry, they say----?
[Forcing herself to speak.] No; I'm not to be married! It is Gertrude, my foster sister.
You no marry, eh? Never mind--you marry some day--some day [ExaminingMarie'sdress with her fingers.] What a fine dress you have, and all wool---- [Same with apron.] Oh, and a silk apron--all silk! Give me, give me?
[Marietakes it off and gives it to her.]
Thank you--thank you!!! [KissesMarie'ssleeve and dress, but when she would kiss her hand,Mariewithdraws it quickly.]
No, no!Ne dosu ranka!
All right, all right! You are fine lady. [Looks about.] Is the old man home, eh?
No, he is out.
That is good, that is good! He is an old devil--is the old man! All Prussians are devils. But he have fine house, he have! Like a prince!!! [Rubs her hand over table cover.] Ah, nice shawl that would make---- [Sees linen.] And what fine linen--[Motions toMarie.] Come here!
[Approaching her.] What do you want?
[Pointing with thumb.] Give me an drink--just an little drink! [Indicates with finger and thumb.]
[WhileMarieturns to sideboard, she quickly takes two or three pieces of linen and with left hand holds them hidden under her apron.]
[After taking drink from Marie.] Thanks, mine daughter, thanks! [After drinking, rubs her stomach.] Ah, that's good, that's good!--Give me another! [Mariefills another glass for her--she drinks it.] Thank you, thank you!! But now I must be going!
[In her anxiety to get out she drops one piece, while going to the door.]
[Horrified.] Mo--mo--what were you trying to do?
[Pretending surprise.] My, my--just see! I found this out on the field. [Picks it up and puts it under her arm.]
Put that down, it is not yours.
[Doing so.] All right, all right--my--my--my----
Put down all you have!
I have no more, no, no more, I swear!
[Goes quickly to door and calls.] George!
[Enters.] Well?
Give me some money! [He gives her a gold piece.] [Marieto her mother.] Here, here is money; now give me the linen----
[Takes the money as she gives up the linen, greedily.] A ducat! A whole ducat! A golden ducat! Mine daughter, thank you!
And now, go!
[Goes anxiously to the door.] Alright, alright!!!
[Throws a kiss toMarie,and quick exit.]
[Quickly takes key from board.] George, take this key and lock the garden gate after her, so she does not return. [Georgeexits.Marielooks after them, then slowly returns to the table, leans against same, and stares vacantly. Knock is heard at door L.]
[Mechanically.] Come in!
[Trying the door from the outside.] The door is locked!
[Marieopens the door.]
[Enters with dishes.] It is time to lay the table for supper--will you help me, please? Why, what's the matter? You are not listening to me----
Never mind, Lena, I will set the table myself!
Will you? Very well!!! [ExitServant.]
[Enters. ToMarie,who does not stir.] Remember what I told you. But come, come, this will never do! Don't stare at me like that----
[Leaning on him and weeping.] Oh, George!
[Stroking her hair.] That's it, dear, the tears will relieve you! Ah, I well know the anguish of an aching heart!
Yes, you know, you know all! Now I have no one in this whole world but you--you alone. [As she bursts out crying she throws herself on his breast.]
[Stroking her hair.] Yes, yes; we two understand each other. We two were meant, were intended for each other. Were we not, dear?
My God! Yes!!
And we will ever remember this day--the day that brought us together. It is the day before St. John's Eve. Will you remember it, dear? [Short pause.Mariesilent, then struggles to free herself.]
Don't, George! Go away! Please don't!
[Embarrassed.] But why should I suddenly go away, Marie?
Go, George, I beg of you! I must lay the table!! Now go!
Marie, you said yourself you had no one but me!
If you do not want to despise me, please go----
[With forced laugh.] I despise you? Very well--I'll go----
[Turns once more in the door and hesitatingly exits.]
[Mariebreaks down, weeping.]
[Curtain.]