ALLAN. Yes.
ALICE. In what way?
ALLAN. I don't know.
ALICE. Have you a headache?
ALLAN. No.
ALICE. And your chest? Pain?
ALLAN. Yes.
ALICE. Pain—pain—as if your heart wanted to melt away. And it pulls, pulls——
ALLAN. How do you know?
ALICE. And then you wish to die—that you were already dead—and everything seems so hard. And you can only think of one thing—always the same—but if two are thinking of the same thing, then sorrow falls heavily on one of them. [ALLANforgets himself and begins to pick at the handkerchief] That's the sickness which no one can cure. You cannot eat and you cannot drink; you want only to weep, and you weep so bitterly—especially out in the woods where nobody can see you, for at that kind of sorrow all men laugh—men who are so cruel! Dear me! What do you want of her? Nothing! You don't want to kiss her mouth, for you feel that you would die if you did. When your thoughts run to her, you feel as if death were approaching. And it is death, child—that sort of death—which brings life. But you don't understand it yet! I smell violets—it is herself. [Steps closer toALLANand takes the handkerchief gently away from him.] It is she, it is she everywhere, none but she! Oh, oh, oh! [ALLANcannot help burying his face inALICE'sbosom] Poor boy! Poor boy! Oh, how it hurts, how it hurts! [Wipes off his tears with the handkerchief] There, there! Cry —cry to your heart's content. There now! Then the heart grows lighter—But now, Allan, rise up and be a man, or she will not look at you—she, the cruel one, who is not cruel. Has she tormented you? With the Lieutenant? You must make friends with the Lieutenant, so that you two can talk of her. That gives a little ease also.
ALLAN. I don't want to see the Lieutenant!
ALICE. Now look here, little boy, it won't be long before the Lieutenant seeks you out in order to get a chance to talk of her. For—[ALLANlooks up with a ray of hope on his face] Well, shall I be nice and tell you? [ALLANdroops his head] He is just as unhappy as you are.
ALLAN. [Happy] No?
ALICE. Yes, indeed, and he needs somebody to whom he may unburden his heart when Judith has wounded him. You seem to rejoice in advance?
ALLAN. Does she not want the Lieutenant?
ALICE. She does not want you either, dear boy, for she wants the Colonel. [ALLANis saddened again] Is it raining again? Well, the handkerchief you cannot have, for Judithiscareful about her belongings and wants her dozen complete. [ALLANlooks dashed] Yes, my boy, such is Judith. Sit over there now, while I write another letter, and then you may do an errand for me.
[Sits down at the writing-table and begins to write again.
[Sits down at the writing-table and begins to write again.
LIEUTENANT. [Enters from the background, with a melancholy face, but without being ridiculous. Without noticingALICEhe makes straight forALLAN] I say, Cadet—[ALLANrises and stands at attention] Please be seated.
ALICEwatches them.TheLIEUTENANTgoes up toALLANand sits down beside him. Sighs, takes out a lace handkerchief just like the other one, and wipes his forehead with it.ALLANstares greedily at the handkerchief.TheLIEUTENANTlooks sadly atALLAN.ALICE.coughs.TheLIEUTENANTjumps up and stands at attention.
ALICEwatches them.
TheLIEUTENANTgoes up toALLANand sits down beside him. Sighs, takes out a lace handkerchief just like the other one, and wipes his forehead with it.
ALLANstares greedily at the handkerchief.
TheLIEUTENANTlooks sadly atALLAN.
ALICE.coughs.
TheLIEUTENANTjumps up and stands at attention.
ALICE. Please be seated.
LIEUTENANT. I beg your pardon, madam——
ALICE. Never mind! Please sit down and keep the Cadet company—he is feeling a little lonely here on the island. [Writes.
LIEUTENANT. [Conversing withALLANin low tone and uneasily] It is awfully hot.
ALLAN. Rather.
LIEUTENANT. Have you finished the sixth book yet?
ALLAN. I have just got to the last proposition.
LIEUTENANT. That's a tough one. [Silence] Have you—[seeking for words] played tennis to-day?
ALLAN. No-o—the sun was too hot.
LIEUTENANT. [In despair, but without any comical effect] Yes, it's awfully hot to-day!
ALLAN. [In a whisper] Yes, it is very hot. [Silence.
LIEUTENANT. Have you—been out sailing to-day?
ALLAN. No-o, I couldn't get anybody to tend the jib.
LIEUTENANT. Could you—trust me sufficiently to let me tend the jib?
ALLAN. [Respectfully as before] That would be too great an honor for me, Lieutenant.
LIEUTENANT. Not at all, not at all! Do you think—the wind might be good enough to-day—about dinner-time, say, for that's the only time I am free?
ALLAN. [Slyly] It always calms down about dinner-time, and—that's the time Miss Judith has her lesson.
LIEUTENANT. [Sadly] Oh, yes, yes! Hm! Do you think——
ALICE. Would one of you young gentlemen care to deliver a letter for me? [ALLANand theLIEUTENANTexchange glances of mutual distrust]—to Miss Judith? [ALLANand theLIEUTENANTjump up and hasten over toALICE,but not without a certain dignity meant to disguise their emotion] Both of you? Well, the more safely my errand will be attended to. [Hands the letter to theLIEUTENANT] If you please, Lieutenant, I should like to have that handkerchief. My daughter is very careful about her things—there is a touch of pettiness in her nature—Give me that handkerchief! I don't wish to laugh at you, but you must not make yourself ridiculous—needlessly. And the Colonel does not like to play the part of an Othello. [Takes the handkerchief] Away with you now, young men, and try to hide your feelings as much as you can.
TheLIEUTENANTbows and goes out, followed closely byALLAN.
TheLIEUTENANTbows and goes out, followed closely byALLAN.
ALICE. [Calls out] Allan!
ALLAN. [Stops unwillingly in the doorway] Yes, Aunt.
ALICE. Stay here, unless you want to inflict more suffering on yourself than you can bear.
ALLAN. But he is going!
ALICE. Let him burn himself. But take care of yourself.
ALLAN. I don't want to take care of myself.
ALICE. And then you cry afterward. And so I get the trouble of consoling you.
ALLAN. I want to go!
ALICE. Go then! But come back here, young madcap, and I'll have the right to laugh at you.
[ALLANruns after theLIEUTENANT.[ALICEwrites again.
[ALLANruns after theLIEUTENANT.
[ALICEwrites again.
CURT. [Enters] Alice, I have received an anonymous letter that is bothering me.
ALICE. Have you noticed that Edgar has become another person since he put off the uniform? I could never have believed that a coat might make such a difference.
CURT. You didn't answer my question.
ALICE. It was no question. It was a piece of information. What do you fear?
CURT. Everything!
ALICE. He went to the city. And his trips to the city are always followed by something dreadful.
CURT. But I can do nothing because I don't know from which quarter the attack will begin.
ALICE. [Folding the letter] We'll see whether I have guessed it.
CURT. Will you help me then?
ALICE. Yes—but no further than my own interests permit. My own—that is my children's.
CURT. I understand that! Do you hear how silent everything is—here on land, out on the sea, everywhere?
ALICE. But behind the silence I hear voices—mutterings, cries!
CURT. Hush! I hear something, too—no, it was only the gulls.
ALICE. But I hear something else! And now I am going to the post-office—with this letter!
Same stage setting.ALLANis sitting at the writing-table studying.JUDITHis standing in the doorway. She wears a tennis hat and carries the handle-bars of a bicycle in one hand.
Same stage setting.ALLANis sitting at the writing-table studying.JUDITHis standing in the doorway. She wears a tennis hat and carries the handle-bars of a bicycle in one hand.
JUDITH. Can I borrow your wrench?
ALLAN. [Without looking up] No, you cannot.
JUDITH. You are discourteous now, because you think I am running after you.
ALLAN. [Without crossness] I am nothing at all, but I ask merely to be left alone.
JUDITH. [Comes nearer] Allan!
ALLAN. Yes, what is it?
JUDITH. You mustn't be angry with me!
ALLAN. I am not.
JUDITH. Will you give me your hand on that?
ALLAN. [Kindly] I don't want to shake hands with you, but I am not angry—What do you want with me anyhow?
JUDITH. Oh, but you're stupid!
ALLAN. Well, let it go at that.
JUDITH. You think me cruel, and nothing else.
ALLAN. No, for I know that you are kind too—youcanbe kind!
JUDITH. Well—how can I help—that you and the Lieutenant run around and weep in the woods? Tell me, why do you weep? [ALLANis embarrassed] Tell me now—I never weep. And why have you become such good friends? Of what do you talk while you are walking about arm in arm? [ALLANcannot answer] Allan, you'll soon see what kind I am and whether I can strike a blow for one I like. And I want to give you a piece of advice—although I have no use for tale-bearing. Be prepared!
ALLAN. For what?
JUDITH. Trouble.
ALLAN. From what quarter?
JUDITH. From the quarter where you least expect it.
ALLAN. Well, I am rather used to disappointment, and life has not brought me much that was pleasant What's in store now?
JUDITH. [Pensively] You poor boy—give me your hand! [ALLANgives her his hand] Look at me! Don't you dare to look at me?
[ALLANrushes out to the left in order to hide his emotion.
[ALLANrushes out to the left in order to hide his emotion.
LIEUTENANT. [In from the background] I beg your pardon! I thought that——
JUDITH. Tell me, Lieutenant, will you be my friend and ally?
LIEUTENANT. If you'll do me the honour——
JUDITH. Yes—a word only—don't desert Allan when disaster overtakes him.
LIEUTENANT. What disaster?
JUDITH. You'll soon see—this very day perhaps. Do you like Allan?
LIEUTENANT. The young man is my best pupil, and I value him personally also on account of his strength of character—Yes, life has moments when strength is required [with emphasis] to bear up, to endure, to suffer, in a word!
JUDITH. That was more than one word, I should say. However, you like Allan?
LIEUTENANT. Yes.
JUDITH. Look him up then, and keep him company.
LIEUTENANT. It was for that purpose I came here—for that and no other. I had no other object in my visit.
JUDITH. I had not supposed anything of that kind—of the kind you mean! Allan went that way.
[Pointing to the left.
[Pointing to the left.
LIEUTENANT. [Goes reluctantly to the left] Yes—I'll do what you ask.
JUDITH. Do, please.
ALICE. [In from the background] What are you doing here?
JUDITH. I wanted to borrow a wrench.
ALICE. Will you listen to me a moment?
JUDITH. Of course, I will.
[ALICEsits down on the sofa.
[ALICEsits down on the sofa.
JUDITH. [Remains standing] But tell me quickly what you want to say. I don't like long lectures.
ALICE. Lectures? Well, then—put up your hair and put on a long dress.
JUDITH. Why?
ALICE. Because you are no longer a child. And you are young enough to need no coquetry about your age.
JUDITH. What does that mean?
ALICE. That you have reached marriageable age. And your way of dressing is causing scandal.
JUDITH. Then I shall do what you say.
ALICE. You have understood then?
JUDITH. Oh, yes.
ALICE. And we are agreed?
JUDITH. Perfectly.
ALICE. On all points?
JUDITH. Even the tenderest!
ALICE. Will you at the same time cease playing—with Allan?
JUDITH. It is going to be serious then?
ALICE. Yes.
JUDITH. Then we may just as well begin at once.
She has already laid aside the handle-bars. Now she lets down the bicycle skirt and twists her braid into a knot which she fastens on top of her head with a hair-pin taken out of her mother's hair.
She has already laid aside the handle-bars. Now she lets down the bicycle skirt and twists her braid into a knot which she fastens on top of her head with a hair-pin taken out of her mother's hair.
ALICE. It is not proper to make your toilet in a strange place.
JUDITH. Am I all right this way? Then I am ready. Come now who dares!
ALICE. Now at last you look decent. And leave Allan in peace after this.
JUDITH. I don't understand what you mean?
ALICE. Can't you see that he is suffering?
JUDITH. Yes, I think I have noticed it, but I don't know why. I don't suffer!
ALICE. That isyourstrength. But the day will come—oh, yes, you shall know what it means. Go home now, and don't forget—that you are wearing a long skirt.
JUDITH. Must you walk differently then?
ALICE. Just try.
JUDITH. [Tries to walk like a lady] Oh, my feet are tied; I am caught, I cannot run any longer!
ALICE. Yes, child, now the walking begins, along the slow road toward the unknown, which you know already, but must pretend to ignore. Shorter steps, and much slower—much slower! The low shoes of childhood must go, Judith, and you have to wear boots. You don't remember when you laid aside baby socks and put on shoes, but I do!
JUDITH. I can never stand this!
ALICE. And yet you must—must!
JUDITH. [Goes over to her mother and kisses her lightly on the cheek; then walks out with the dignified bearing of a lady, but forgetting the handle-bars] Good-bye then!
CURT. [Enters from the right] So you're already here?
ALICE. Yes.
CURT. Hashecome back?
ALICE. Yes.
CURT. How did he appear?
ALICE. In full dress—so he has called on the Colonel. And he wore two orders.
CURT. Two? I knew he was to receive the Order of the Sword on his retirement. But what can the other one be?
ALICE. I am not very familiar with those things, but there was a white cross within a red one.
CURT. It is a Portuguese order then. Let me see—tell me, didn't his articles in that periodical deal with quarantine stations in Portuguese harbours?
ALICE. Yes, as far as I can recall.
CURT. And he has never been in Portugal?
ALICE. Never.
CURT. But I have been there.
ALICE. You shouldn't be so communicative. His ears and his memory are so good.
CURT. Don't you think Judith may have helped him to this honour?
ALICE. Well, I declare! There are limits—[rising] and you have passed them.
CURT. Are we to quarrel now?
ALICE. That depends on you. Don't meddle with my interests.
CURT. If they cross my own, I have to meddle with them, although with a careful hand. Here he comes!
ALICE. And now it is going to happen.
CURT. What is—going to happen?
ALICE. We shall see!
CURT. Let it come to open attack then, for this state of siege is getting on my nerves. I have not a friend left on the island.
ALICE. Wait a minute! You sit on this side—he must have the easy-chair, of course—and then I can prompt you.
CAPTAIN. [Enters from the background, in full dress uniform, wearing the Order of the Sword and the Portuguese Order of Christ] Good day! Here's the meeting place.
ALICE. You are tired—sit down. [TheCAPTAIN,contrary to expectation, takes a seat on the sofa to the left] Make yourself comfortable.
CAPTAIN. This is all right. You're too kind.
ALICE. [ToCURT] Be careful—he's suspicious of us.
CAPTAIN. [Crossly] What was that you said?
ALICE. [ToCURT] He must have been drinking.
CAPTAIN. [Rudely] No-o, he has not. [Silence] Well—how have you been amusing yourselves?
ALICE. And you?
CAPTAIN. Are you looking at my orders?
ALICE. No-o!
CAPTAIN. I guess not, because you are jealous—Other-wise it is customary to offer congratulations to the recipient of honours.
ALICE. We congratulate you.
CAPTAIN. We get things like these instead of laurel wreaths, such as they give to actresses.
ALICE. That's for the wreaths at home on the walls of the tower——
CAPTAIN. Which your brother gave you——
ALICE. Oh, how you talk!
CAPTAIN. Before which I have had to bow down these twenty-five years—and which it has taken me twenty-five years to expose.
ALICE. You have seen my brother?
CAPTAIN. Rather! [Aliceis crushed. Silence] And you, Curt—you don't say anything, do you?
CURT. I am waiting.
CAPTAIN. Well, I suppose you know the big news?
CURT. No.
CAPTAIN. It is not exactly agreeable for me to be the one who——
CURT. Oh, speak up!
CAPTAIN. The soda factory has gone to the wall——
CURT. That's decidedly unpleasant! Where does that leave you?
CAPTAIN. I am all right, as I sold out in time.
CURT. That was sensible.
CAPTAIN. But how about you?
CURT. Done for!
CAPTAIN. It's your own fault. You should have sold out in time, or taken new stock.
CURT. So that I could lose that too.
CAPTAIN. No, for then the company would have been all right.
CURT. Not the company, but the directors, for in my mind that new subscription was simply a collection for the benefit of the board.
CAPTAIN. And now I ask whether such a view of the matter will save your money?
CURT. No, I shall have to give up everything.
CAPTAIN. Everything?
CURT. Even my home, the furniture——
CAPTAIN. But that's dreadful!
CURT. I have experienced worse things. [Silence.
CAPTAIN. That's what happens when amateurs want to speculate.
CURT. You surprise me, for you know very well that if I had not subscribed, I should have been boycotted. The supplementary livelihood of the coast population, toilers of the sea, inexhaustible capital, inexhaustible as the sea itself—philanthropy and national prosperity—Thus you wrote and printed—And now you speak of it as speculation!
CAPTAIN. [Unmoved] What are you going to do now?
CURT. Have an auction, I suppose.
CAPTAIN. You had better.
CURT. What do you mean?
CAPTAIN. What I said! For there [slowly] are going to be some changes——
CURT. On the island?
CAPTAIN. Yes—as, for instance,—your quarters are going to be exchanged for somewhat simpler ones.
CURT. Well, well.
CAPTAIN. Yes, the plan is to place the quarantine station on the outside shore, near the water.
CURT. My original idea!
CAPTAIN. [Dryly] I don't know about that—for I am not familiar with your ideas on the subject. However it seems then quite natural that you dispose of the furniture, and it will attract much less notice—the scandal!
CURT. What?
CAPTAIN. The scandal! [Egging himself on] For it is a scandal to come to a new place and immediately get into financial troubles which must result in a lot of annoyance to the relatives—particularly to the relatives.
CURT. Oh, I guess I'll have to bear the worst of it.
CAPTAIN. I'll tell you one thing, my dear Curt: if I had not stood by you in this matter, you would have lost your position.
CURT. That too?
CAPTAIN. It comes rather hard for you to keep things in order—complaints have been made against your work.
CURT. Warranted complaints?
CAPTAIN. Yah! For you are—in spite of your other respectable qualities—a careless fellow—Don't interrupt me! You are a very careless fellow!
CURT. How strange!
CAPTAIN. However—the suggested change is going to take place very soon. And I should advise you to hold the auction at once or sell privately.
CURT. Privately? And where could I find a buyer in this place?
CAPTAIN. Well, I hope you don't expect me to settle down in the midst of your things? That would make a fine story—[staccato] hm!—especially when I—think of what happened—once upon a time——
CURT. What was that? Are you referring to what didnothappen?
CAPTAIN. [Turning about] You are so silent, Alice? What is the matter, old girl? Not blue, I hope?
ALICE. I sit here and think——
CAPTAIN. Goodness! Are you thinking? But you have to think quickly, keenly, and correctly, if it is to be of any help! So do your thinking now—one, two, three! Ha-ha! You can't! Well, then, I must try—Where is Judith?
ALICE. Somewhere.
CAPTAIN. Where is Allan? [ALICEremains silent] Where is the Lieutenant? [ALICEas before] I say, Curt—what are you going to do with Allan now?
CURT. Do with him?
CAPTAIN. Yes, you cannot afford to keep him in the artillery now.
CURT. Perhaps not.
CAPTAIN. You had better get him into some cheap infantry regiment—up in Norrland, or somewhere.
CURT. In Norrland?
CAPTAIN. Yes, or suppose you turned him into something practical at once? If I were in your place, I should get him into some business office—why not? [CURTis silent] In these enlightened times—yah! Alice is souncommonlysilent! Yes, children, this is the seesawing seesaw board of life—one moment high up, looking boldly around, and the next way down, and then upward again, and so on—So much for that—[ToALICE] Did you say anything? [ALICEshakes her head] We may expect company here in a few days.
ALICE. Were you speaking to me?
CAPTAIN. We may expect company in a few days—notable company!
ALICE. Who?
CAPTAIN. Behold—you're interested! Now you can sit there and guess who is coming, and between guesses you may read this letter over again. [Hands her an opened letter.
ALICE. My letter? Opened? Back from the mail?
CAPTAIN. [Rising] Yes, as the head of the family and your guardian, I look after the sacred interests of the family, and with iron hand I shall cut short every effort to break the family ties by means of criminal correspondence. Yah! [ALICEis crushed] I am not dead, you know, but don't take offence now because I am going to raise us all out of undeserved humility—undeserved on my own part, at least!
ALICE. Judith! Judith!
CAPTAIN. And Holofernes? I, perhaps? Pooh!
[Goes out through the background.
[Goes out through the background.
CURT. Who is that man?
ALICE. How can I tell?
CURT. We are beaten.
ALICE. Yes—beyond a doubt.
CURT. He has stripped me of everything, but so cleverly that I can accuse him of nothing.
ALICE. Why, no—you owe him a debt of gratitude instead!
CURT. Does he know what he is doing?
ALICE. No, I don't think so. He follows his nature and his instincts, and just now he seems to be in favour where fortune and misfortune are being meted out.
CURT. I suppose it's the Colonel who is to come here.
ALICE. Probably. And that is why Allan must go.
CURT. And you find that right?
ALICE. Yes.
CURT. Then our ways part.
ALICE. [Ready to go] A little—but we shall come together again.
CURT. Probably.
ALICE. And do you know where?
CURT. Here.
ALICE. You guess it?
CURT. That's easy! He takes the house and buys the furniture.
ALICE. I think so, too. But don't desert me!
CURT. Not for a little thing like that.
ALICE. Good-bye. [Goes.
CURT. Good-bye.
Same stage setting, but the day is cloudy and it is raining outside.ALICEandCURTenter from the background, wearing rain coats and carrying umbrellas.
Same stage setting, but the day is cloudy and it is raining outside.
ALICEandCURTenter from the background, wearing rain coats and carrying umbrellas.
ALICE. At last I have got you to come here! But, I cannot be so cruel as to wish you welcome to your own home——
CURT. Oh, why not? I have passed through three forced sales—and worse than that—It doesn't matter to me.
ALICE. Did he call you?
CURT. It was a formal command, but on what basis I don't understand.
ALICE. Why, he is not your superior!
CURT. No, but he has made himself king of the island. And if there be any resistance, he has only to mention the Colonel's name, and everybody submits. Tell me, is it to-day the Colonel is coming?
ALICE. He is expected—but I know nothing with certainty—Sit down, please.
CURT. [Sitting down] Nothing has been changed here.
ALICE. Don't think of it! Don't renew the pain!
CURT. The pain? I find it merely a little strange. Strange as the man himself. Do you know, when I made his acquaintance as a boy, I fled him. But he was after me. Flattered, offered services, and surrounded me with ties—I repeated my attempt at escape, but in vain—And now I am his slave!
ALICE. And why? He owes you a debt, but you appear as the debtor.
CURT. Since I lost all I had, he has offered me help in getting Allan through his examinations——
ALICE. For which you will have to pay dearly! You are still a candidate for the Riksdag?
CURT. Yes, and, so far as I can see, there is nothing in my way. [Silence.
ALICE. Is Allan really going to leave to-day?
CURT. Yes, if I cannot prevent it.
ALICE. That was a short-lived happiness.
CURT. Short-lived as everything but life itself, which lasts all too long.
ALICE. Too long, indeed!—Won't you come in and wait in the sitting-room? Even if it does not trouble you, it troubles me—these surroundings!
CURT. If you wish it——
ALICE. I feel ashamed, so ashamed that I could wish to die—but I can alter nothing!
CURT. Let us go then—as you wish it.
ALICE. And somebody is coming too.
[They go out to the left.TheCAPTAINandALLANenter from the background, both in uniform and wearing cloaks.
[They go out to the left.
TheCAPTAINandALLANenter from the background, both in uniform and wearing cloaks.
CAPTAIN. Sit down, my boy, and let me have a talk with you. [Sits down in the easy-chair.
[ALLANsits down on the chair to the left.
[ALLANsits down on the chair to the left.
CAPTAIN. It's raining to-day—otherwise I could sit here comfortably and look at the sea. [Silence] Well?—You don't like to go, do you?
ALLAN. I don't like to leave my father.
CAPTAIN. Yes, your father—he is rather an unfortunate man. [Silence] And parents rarely understand the true welfare of their children. That is to say—there are exceptions, of course. Hm! Tell me, Allan, have you any communication with your mother?
ALLAN. Yes, she writes now and then——
CAPTAIN. Do you know that she is your guardian?
ALLAN. Yes.
CAPTAIN. Now, Allan, do you know that your mother has authorised me to act in her place?
ALLAN. I didn't know that!
CAPTAIN. Well, you know it now. And, therefore, all discussions concerning your career are done with—And you are going to Norrland.
ALLAN. But I have no money.
CAPTAIN. I have arranged for what you need.
ALLAN. All I can do then is to thank you, Uncle.
CAPTAIN. Yes,youare grateful—which everybody is not. Hm!—[Raising his voice] The Colonel—do you know the Colonel?
ALLAN. [Embarrassed] No, I don't.
CAPTAIN. [With emphasis] The Colonel—is my special friend—[a little more hurriedly] as you know, perhaps. Hm! The Colonel has wished to show his interest in my family, including my wife's relatives. Through his intercession, the Colonel has been able to provide the means needed for the completion of your course. Now you understand the obligation under which you and your father are placed toward the Colonel. Have I spoken with sufficient plainness? [ALLANbows] Go and pack your things now. The money will be handed to you at the landing. And now good-bye, my boy. [Holds out a finger toALLAN] Good-bye then.
[Rises and goes out to the right.[ALLAN,alone, stands still, looking sadly around the room.
[Rises and goes out to the right.
[ALLAN,alone, stands still, looking sadly around the room.
JUDITH. [Enters from the background, wearing a hooded rain coat and carrying an umbrella; otherwise exquisitely dressed, in long skirt and with her hair put up] Is that you, Allan!
ALLAN. [Turning around, surveysJUDITHcarefully] Is that you, Judith?
JUDITH. You don't know me any longer? Where have you been all this time? What are you looking at? My long dress—and my hair—You have not seen me like this before?
ALLAN. No-o——
JUDITH. Do I look like a married woman?
[ALLANturns away from her.
[ALLANturns away from her.
JUDITH. [Earnestly] What are you doing here?
ALLAN. I am saying good-bye.
JUDITH. What? You are going—away?
ALLAN. I am transferred to Norrland.
JUDITH. [Dumfounded] To Norrland? When are you going?
ALLAN. To-day.
JUDITH. Whose doing is this?
ALLAN. Your father's.
JUDITH. That's what I thought! [Walks up and down the floor, stamping her feet] I wish you had stayed over to-day.
ALLAN. In order to meet the Colonel?
JUDITH. What do you know about the Colonel?—Is it certain that you are going?
ALLAN. There is no other choice. And now I want it myself. [Silence.
JUDITH. Why do you want it now?
ALLAN. I want to get away from here—out into the world!
JUDITH. It's too close here? Yes, Allan, I understand you—it's unbearable here—here, where they speculate—in soda and human beings! [Silence.
JUDITH. [With genuine emotion] As you know, Allan, I possess that fortunate nature which cannot suffer—but—now I am learning!
ALLAN. You?
JUDITH. Yes—now it's beginning! [She presses both hands to her breast] Oh, how it hurts—oh!
ALLAN. What is it?
JUDITH. I don't know—I choke—I think I'm going to die!
ALLAN. Judith?
JUDITH. [Crying out] Oh! Is this the way it feels? Is this the way—poor boys!
ALLAN. I should smile, if I were as cruel as you are.
JUDITH. I am not cruel, but I didn't know better—You must not go!
ALLAN. I have to!
JUDITH. Go then—but give me a keepsake!
ALLAN. What have I to give you?
JUDITH. [With all the seriousness of deepest suffering] You!—No, I can never live through this! [Cries out, pressing her breast with both hands] I suffer, I suffer—What have you done to me? I don't want to live any longer! Allan, don't go—not alone! Let us go together—we'll take the small boat, the little white one—and we'll sail far out, with the main sheet made fast—the wind is high—and we sail till we founder out there, way out, where there is no eelgrass and no jelly-fish—What do you say?—But we should have washed the sails yesterday—they should be white as snow—for I want to see white in that moment—and you swim with your arm about me until you grow tired—and then we sink—[Turning around] There would be style in that, a good deal more style than in going about here lamenting and smuggling letters that will be opened and jeered at by father—Allan! [She takes hold of both his arms and shakes him] Do you hear?
ALLAN. [Who has been watching her with shining eyes] Judith! Judith! Why were you not like this before?
JUDITH. I didn't know—how could I tell what I didn't know?
ALLAN. And now I must go away from you! But I suppose it is the better, the only thing! I cannot compete with a man—like——
JUDITH. Don't speak of the Colonel!
ALLAN. Is it not true?
JUDITH. It is true—and it is not true.
ALLAN. Can it become wholly untrue?
JUDITH. Yes, so it shall—within an hour!
ALLAN. And you keep your word? I can wait, I can suffer, I can work—Judith!
JUDITH. Don't go yet! How long must I wait?
ALLAN. A year.
JUDITH. [Exultantly] One? I shall wait a thousand years, and if you do not come then, I shall turn the dome of heaven upside down and make the sun rise in the west—Hush, somebody is coming! Allan, we must part—take me into your arms! [They embrace each other] But you must not kiss me. [Turns her head away] There, go now! Go now!
ALLANgoes toward the background and puts on his cloak. Then they rush into each other's arms so thatJUDITHdisappears beneath the cloak, and for a moment they exchange kisses.ALLANrushes out.JUDITHthrows herself face downward on the sofa and sobs.
ALLANgoes toward the background and puts on his cloak. Then they rush into each other's arms so thatJUDITHdisappears beneath the cloak, and for a moment they exchange kisses.ALLANrushes out.JUDITHthrows herself face downward on the sofa and sobs.
ALLAN. [Comes back and kneels beside the sofa] No, I cannot go! I cannot go away from you—not now!
JUDITH. [Rising] If you could only see how beautiful you are now! If you could only see yourself!
ALLAN. Oh, no, a man cannot be beautiful. But you, Judith! You—that you—oh, I saw that, when you were kind, another Judith appeared—and she's mine!—But if you don't keep faith with me now, then I shall die!
JUDITH. I think I am dying even now—Oh, that I might die now, just now, when I am so happy——
ALLAN. Somebody is coming!
JUDITH. Let them come! I fear nothing in the world hereafter. But I wish you could take me along under your cloak. [She hides herself in play under his cloak] And then I should fly with you to Norrland. What are we to do in Norrland? Become a Fusilier—one of those that wear plumes on their hats? There's style in that, and it will be becoming to you.
[Plays with his hair.ALLANkisses the tips of her fingers, one by one—and then he kisses her shoe.
[Plays with his hair.
ALLANkisses the tips of her fingers, one by one—and then he kisses her shoe.
JUDITH. What are you doing, Mr. Madcap? Your lips will get black. [Rising impetuously] And then I cannot kiss you when you go! Come, and I'll go with you!
ALLAN. No, then I should be placed under arrest.
JUDITH. I'll go with you to the guard-room.
ALLAN. They wouldn't let you! We must part now!
JUDITH. I am going to swim after the steamer—and then you jump in and save me—and it gets into the newspapers, and we become engaged. Shall we do that?
ALLAN. You can still jest?
JUDITH. There will always be time for tears—Say good-bye now!——
They rush into each other's arms; thenALLANwithdraws slowly through the door in the background,JUDITHfollowing him; the door remains open after them; they embrace again outside, in the rain.
They rush into each other's arms; thenALLANwithdraws slowly through the door in the background,JUDITHfollowing him; the door remains open after them; they embrace again outside, in the rain.
ALLAN. You'll get wet, Judith.
JUDITH. What do I care!
They tear themselves away from each other.ALLANleaves.JUDITHremains behind, exposing herself to the rain and to the wind, which strains at her hair and her clothes while she is waving her handkerchief. ThenJUDITHruns back into the room and throws herself on the sofa, with her face buried in her hands.
They tear themselves away from each other.ALLANleaves.JUDITHremains behind, exposing herself to the rain and to the wind, which strains at her hair and her clothes while she is waving her handkerchief. ThenJUDITHruns back into the room and throws herself on the sofa, with her face buried in her hands.
ALICE. [Enters and goes over toJUDITH] What is this?—Get up and let me look at you.
[JUDITHsits up.
[JUDITHsits up.
ALICE. [Scrutinising her] You are not sick—And I am not going to console you. [Goes out to the right.
TheLIEUTENANTenters from the background.
TheLIEUTENANTenters from the background.
JUDITH. [Gets up and puts on the hooded coat] Come along to the telegraph office, Lieutenant.
LIEUTENANT. If I can be of any service—but I don't think it's quite proper——
JUDITH. So much the better! I want you to compromise me—but without any illusions on your part—Go ahead, please! [They go out through the background.
TheCAPTAINandALICEenter from the right; he is in undress uniform.
TheCAPTAINandALICEenter from the right; he is in undress uniform.
CAPTAIN. [Sits down in the easy-chair] Let him come in.
ALICEgoes over to the door on the left and opens it, whereupon she sits down on the sofa.
ALICEgoes over to the door on the left and opens it, whereupon she sits down on the sofa.
CURT. [Enters from the left] You want to speak to me?
CAPTAIN. [Pleasantly, but somewhat condescendingly] Yes, I have quite a number of important things to tell you. Sit down.
CURT. [Sits down on the chair to the left] I am all ears.
CAPTAIN. Well, then!—[Bumptiously] You know that our quarantine system has been neglected during nearly a century—hm!
ALICE. [ToCURT] That's the candidate for the Riksdag who speaks now.
CAPTAIN. But with the tremendous development witnessed by our own day in——
ALICE. [ToCURT] The communications, of course!
CAPTAIN.—all kinds of ways the government has begun to consider improvements. And for this purpose the Board of Health has appointed inspectors—hm!
ALICE. [ToCURT] He's giving dictation.
CAPTAIN. You may as well learn it now as later—I have been appointed an inspector of quarantines. [Silence.
CURT. I congratulate—and pay my respects to my superior at the same time.
CAPTAIN. On account of ties of kinship our personal relations will remain unchanged. However—to speak of other things—At my request your son Allan has been transferred to an infantry regiment in Norrland.
CURT. But I don't want it.
CAPTAIN. Your will in this case is subordinate to the mother's wishes—and as the mother has authorised me to decide, I have formed this decision.
CURT. I admire you!
CAPTAIN. Is that the only feeling you experience at this moment when you are to part from your son? Have you no other purely human feelings?
CURT. You mean that I ought to be suffering?
CAPTAIN. Yes.
CURT. It would please you if I suffered. You wish me to suffer.
CAPTAIN.Yousuffer?—Once I was taken sick—you were present and I can still remember that your face expressed nothing but undisguised pleasure.
ALICE. That is not true! Curt sat beside your bed all night and calmed you down when your qualms of conscience became too violent—but when you recovered you ceased to be thankful for it——
CAPTAIN. [Pretending not to hearAlice] Consequently Allan will have to leave us.
CURT. And who is going to pay for it?
CAPTAIN. I have done so already—that is to say, we—a syndicate of people interested in the young man's future.
CURT. A syndicate?
CAPTAIN. Yes—and to make sure that everything is all right you can look over these subscription lists.
[Hands him some papers.
[Hands him some papers.
CURT. Lists? [Reading the papers] These are begging letters?
CAPTAIN. Call them what you please.
CURT. Have you gone begging on behalf of my son?
CAPTAIN. Are you ungrateful again? An ungrateful man is the heaviest burden borne by the earth.
CURT. Then I am dead socially! And my candidacy is done for!
CAPTAIN. What candidacy?
CURT. For the Riksdag, of course.
CAPTAIN. I hope you never had any such notions—particularly as you might have guessed that I, as an older resident, intended to offer my own services, which you seem to underestimate.
CURT. Oh, well, then that's gone, too!
CAPTAIN. It doesn't seem to trouble you very much.
CURT. Now you have taken everything—do you want more?
CAPTAIN. Have you anything more? And have you anything to reproach me with? Consider carefully if you have anything to reproach me with.
CURT. Strictly speaking, no! Everything has been correct and legal as it should be between honest citizens in the course of daily life——
CAPTAIN. You say this with a resignation which I would call cynical. But your entire nature has a cynical bent, my dear Curt, and there are moments when I feel tempted to share Alice's opinion of you—that you are a hypocrite, a hypocrite of the first water.
CURT. [Calmly] So that's Alice's opinion?
ALICE. [ToCURT] It was—once. But not now, for it takes true heroism to bear what you have borne—or it takes something else!
CAPTAIN. Now I think the discussion may be regarded as closed. You, Curt, had better go and say good-bye to Allan, who is leaving with the next boat.
CURT. [Rising] So soon? Well, I have gone through worse things than that.
CAPTAIN. You say that so often that I am beginning to wonder what you went through in America?
CURT. What I went through? I went through misfortunes. And it is the unmistakable right of every human being to suffer misfortune.
CAPTAIN. [Sharply] There are self-inflicted misfortunes—were yours of that kind?
CURT. Is not this a question of conscience?
CAPTAIN. [Brusquely] Do you mean to say you have a conscience?
CURT. There are wolves and there are sheep, and no human being is honoured by being a sheep. But I'd rather be that than a wolf!
CAPTAIN. You don't recognise the old truth, that everybody is the maker of his own fortune?
CURT. Isthata truth?
CAPTAIN. And you don't know that a man's own strength——
CURT. Yes, I know that from the night when your own strength failed you, and you lay flat on the floor.
CAPTAIN. [Raising his voice] A deserving man like myself —yes, look at me—For fifty years I have fought—against a world—but at last I have won the game, by perseverance, loyalty, energy, and—integrity!
ALICE. You should leave that to be said by others!
CAPTAIN. The others won't say it because they are jealous. However—we are expecting company—my daughter Judith will to-day meet her intended—Where is Judith?
ALICE. She is out.
CAPTAIN. In the rain? Send for her.
CURT. Perhaps I may go now?
CAPTAIN. No, you had better stay. Is Judith dressed—Properly?
ALICE. Oh, so-so—Have you definite word from the Colonel that he is coming?
CAPTAIN. [Rising] Yes—that is to say, he will take us by surprise, as it is termed. And I am expecting a telegram from him—any moment. [Goes to the right] I'll be back at once.
ALICE. There you see him as he is! Can he be called human?
CURT. When you asked that question once before, I answered no. Now I believe him to be the commonest kind of human being of the sort that possess the earth. Perhaps we, too, are of the same kind—making use of other people and of favourable opportunities?
ALICE. He has eaten you and yours alive—and you defend him?
CURT. I have suffered worse things. And this man-eater has left my soul unharmed—thathe couldn't swallow!
ALICE. What "worse" have you suffered?
CURT. Andyouask that?
ALICE. Do you wish to be rude?
CURT. No, I don't wish to—and therefore—don't ask again!
CAPTAIN. [Enters from the right] The telegram was already there, however—Please read it, Alice, for I cannot see—[Seats himself pompously in the easy-chair] Read it! You need not go, Curt.
ALICEglances through the telegram quickly and looks perplexed.
ALICEglances through the telegram quickly and looks perplexed.
CAPTAIN. Well? Don't you find it pleasing?
[ALICEstares in silence at theCAPTAIN.
[ALICEstares in silence at theCAPTAIN.
CAPTAIN. [Ironically] Who is it from?
ALICE. From the Colonel.
CAPTAIN. [With self-satisfaction] So I thought—and what does the Colonel say?
ALICE. This is what he says: "On account of Miss Judith's impertinent communication over the telephone, I consider the relationship ended—for ever!"
[Looks intently at theCAPTAIN.
[Looks intently at theCAPTAIN.
CAPTAIN. Once more, if you please.
ALICE. [Reads rapidly] "On account of Miss Judith's impertinent communication over the telephone, I consider the relationship ended—for ever!"
CAPTAIN. [Turns pale] It is Judith!
ALICE. And there is Holofernes!
CAPTAIN. And what are you?
ALICE. Soon you will see!
CAPTAIN. This is your doing!
ALICE. No!
CAPTAIN. [In a rage] This is your doing!
ALICE. No! [TheCaptaintries to rise and draw his sabre, but falls back, touched by an apoplectic stroke] There you got what was coming to you!
CAPTAIN. [With senile tears in his voice] Don't be angry at me—I am very sick——
ALICE. Are you? I am glad to hear it.
CURT. Let us put him to bed.
ALICE. No, I don't want to touch him. [Rings.
CAPTAIN. [As before] You must not be angry at me! [ToCURT] Look after my children!
CURT. This is sublime! I am to look after his children, and he has stolen mine!
ALICE. Always the same self-deception!
CAPTAIN. Look after my children! [Continues to mumble unintelligibly] Blub-blub-blub-blub.
ALICE. At last that tongue is checked! Can brag no more, lie no more, wound no more! You, Curt, who believe in God, give Him thanks on my behalf. Thank Him for my liberation from the tower, from the wolf, from the vampire!
CURT. Not that way, Alice!
ALICE. [With her face close to theCAPTAIN's] Where is your own strength now? Tell me? Where is your energy? [TheCAPTAIN,speechless, spits in her face] Oh, you can still squirt venom, you viper—then I'll tear the tongue out of your throat! [Cuffs him on the ear] The head is off, but still it blushes!—O, Judith, glorious girl, whom I have carried like vengeance under my heart—you, you have set us free, all of us!—? If you have more heads than one, Hydra, we'll take them! [Pulls his beard] Think only that justice exists on the earth! Sometimes I dreamed it, but I could never believe it. Curt, ask God to pardon me for misjudging Him. Oh, there is justice! So I will become a sheep, too! Tell Him that, Curt! A little success makes us better, but adversity alone turns us into wolves.
TheLIEUTENANTenters from the background.
TheLIEUTENANTenters from the background.
ALICE. The Captain has had a stroke—will you please help us to roll out the chair?
LIEUTENANT. Madam——