JEANNE
It is still early. Perhaps you will try to fall asleep, Emil? It seems to me that you have been suffering great pain; you have been groaning all night.
EMIL GRELIEU
No, I am feeling better. How is the weather this morning?
JEANNE
Nasty weather, Emil; you can't see the sun. Try to sleep.
Silence. Suddenly Maurice utters a cry in his sleep; the cry turns into a groan and indistinct mumbling. Jeanne walks over to him and listens, then returns to her seat.
EMIL GRELIEU
Is the boy getting on well?
JEANNE
Don't worry, Emil. He only said a few words in his sleep.
EMIL GRELIEU
He has done it several times tonight.
JEANNE
I am afraid that he is disturbing you. We can have him removed to another room and Henrietta will stay with him. The boy's blood is in good condition. In another week, I believe, we shall be able to remove the bandage from his arm.
EMIL GRELIEU
No, let him stay here, Jeanne.
JEANNE
What is it, my dear?
She kneels at his bed and kisses his hand carefully.
EMIL GRELIEU
Jeanne!
JEANNE
I think your fever has gone down, my dear.
Impresses another kiss upon his hand and clings to it.
EMIL GRELIEU
You are my love, Jeanne.
JEANNE
Do not speak, do not speak. Don't agitate yourself.
A brief moment of silence.
EMIL GRELIEU
Moving his head restlessly.
It is so hard to breathe here, the air——
JEANNE
The window has been open all night, my dear. There is not a breeze outside.
EMIL GRELIEU
There is smoke.
JEANNE
Yes.
MAURICE
Utters a cry once more, then mutters—
Stop, stop, stop!
Again indistinctly.
It is burning, it is burning! Oh! Who is going to the battery, who is going to the battery——
He mutters and then grows silent.
EMIL GRELIEU
What painful dreams!
JEANNE
That's nothing; the boy always used to talk in his sleep. Yesterday he looked so well.
EMIL GRELIEU
Jeanne!
JEANNE
What is it, my dear?
EMIL GRELIEU
Sit down.
JEANNE
Very well.
EMIL GRELIEU
Jeanne.... Are you thinking about Pierre?
Silence.
JEANNE
Softly.
Don't speak of him.
EMIL GRELIEU
You are right. Death is not so terrible. Isn't that true, Jeanne?
JEANNE
After a brief pause.
That's true.
EMIL GRELIEU
We shall follow him later. He will not come here, but we shall go to him. I was thinking of it at night. It is so clear. Do you remember the red rose which you gave him? I remember it.
JEANNE
Yes.
EMIL GRELIEU
It is so clear. Jeanne, lean over me. You are the best woman in the world.
Silence.
EMIL GRELIEU
Tossing about in his bed.
It is so hard to breathe.
JEANNE
My dear——
EMIL GRELIEU
No, that's nothing. The night is tormenting me. Jeanne, was I dreaming, or have I really heard cannonading?
JEANNE
You really heard it, at about five o'clock. But very far away, Emil—it was hardly audible. Close your eyes, my dear, rest yourself.
Silence
MAURICE
Faintly.
Mamma!
Jeanne walks over to him quietly.
JEANNE
Are you awake?
MAURICE
Yes. I have slept enough. How is father?
JEANNE
He is awake.
EMIL GRELIEU
Good morning, Maurice.
MAURICE
Good morning, papa. How do you feel? I am feeling well.
EMIL GRELIEU
I, too, am feeling well. Jeanne, you may draw the curtain aside. I can't sleep any longer.
JEANNE
Very well. What a nasty day! Still it will be easier for you to breathe when it is light.
She draws the curtain aside slowly, so as not to make it too light at once. Beyond the large window vague silhouettes of the trees are seen at the window frames and several withered, bent flowers. Maurice is trying to adjust the screen.
JEANNE
What are you doing, Maurice?
MAURICE
My coat—Never mind, I'll fix it myself.
Guiltily.
No, mamma, you had better help me.
JEANNE
Going behind the screen.
What a foolish boy you are, Maurice.
Behind the screen.
Be careful, be careful, that's the way. Don't hurry, be careful.
MAURICE
Behind the screen.
Pin this for me right here, as you did yesterday. That's very good.
JEANNE
Behind the screen.
Of course. Wait, you'll kiss me later—. Well? That's the way.
Maurice comes out, his right arm dressed in a bandage. He goes over to his father and first kisses his hand, then, upon a sign from his eyes, he kisses him on the lips.
EMIL GRELIEU
Good morning, good morning, my dear boy.
MAURICE
Looking around at the screen, where his mother is putting the bed in order.
Papa, look!
He takes his hand out of the bandage and straightens it quickly. Then he puts it back just as quickly. Emil Grelieu threatens him with his finger. Jeanne puts the screen aside, and the bed is already in order.
JEANNE
I am through now. Maurice, come to the bathroom. I'll wash you.
MAURICE
Oh, no; under no circumstances. I'll wash myself today. Last night I washed myself with my left hand and it was very fine.
Walking over to the open window.
How nasty it is. These scoundrels have spoiled the day. Still, it is warm and there is the smell of flowers. It's good, papa; it is very fine.
EMIL GRELIEU
Yes, it is pleasant.
MAURICE
Well, I am going.
JEANNE
Clean your teeth; you didn't do it yesterday, Maurice.
MAURICE
Grumbling.
What's the use of it now? Very well, I'll do it.
At the door.
Papa, do you know, well have good news today; I feel it.
He is heard calling in a ringing voice, "Silvina."
EMIL GRELIEU
I feel better.
JEANNE
I'll let you have your coffee directly. You are looking much better today, much better.
EMIL GRELIEU
What is this?
JEANNE
Perfume, with water. I'll bathe your face with it That's the way. Now I again have little children to wash. You see how pleasant it feels.
EMIL GRELIEU
Yes. What did he say about good news?
JEANNE
He didn't mean anything. He is very happy because he is a hero.
EMIL GRELIEU
Do you know any news?
JEANNE
Irresolutely.
Nothing. What news could there be?
EMIL GRELIEU
Tell me, Jeanne; you were firmer before. Tell me my dear.
JEANNE
Was I firmer? Perhaps.... I have grown accustomed to talk to you softly at night. Well—how shall I tell it to you? They are coming.
EMIL GRELIEU
Coming?
JEANNE
Yes. You know their numbers and ours. Don't be excited, but I think that it will be necessary for us to leave for Antwerp today.
EMIL GRELIEU
Are they near?
JEANNE
Yes, they are near. Very near.
Sings softly.
"Le Roi, la Loi, la Liberté." Very near. I have not told you that the King inquired yesterday about your health. I answered that you were feeling better and that you will be able to leave today.
EMIL GRELIEU
Of course I am able to leave today. And what did he say about them?
JEANNE
What did the King say?
Singing the same tune.
He said that their numbers were too great.
EMIL GRELIEU
What else did he say? What else, Jeanne?
JEANNE
What else? He said that there was a God and there was righteousness. That's what I believe I heard him say—that there was still a God and that righteousness was still in existence. How old these words are, Emil! But it is so good that they still exist.
Silence.
EMIL GRELIEU
Yes, in the daytime you are so different. Where do you get so much strength, Jeanne?
JEANNE
Where?
EMIL GRELIEU
I am forever looking at your hair. I am wondering why it hasn't turned gray.
JEANNE
I dye it at night, Emil. I'll bring in some more flowers. Now it is very cozy here. Oh, yes, I haven't told you yet—some one will be here to see you today—Secretary Lagard and some one else by the name of Count Clairmont.
EMIL GRELIEU
Count Clairmont? I don't know him.
JEANNE
It is not necessary that you should know him. He is simply known as Count Clairmont, Count Clairmont—. That's a good name for a very good man.
EMIL GRELIEU
I know a very good man in Belgium—
JEANNE
Tsh! You must not know anything. You must only remember—Count Clairmont. They have some important matters to discuss with you, I believe. And they'll send you an automobile, to take you to Antwerp.
EMIL GRELIEU
Smiling.
Count Clairmont?
JEANNE
Also smiling.
Yes. You are loved by everybody, but if I were a King, I would have sent you an aeroplane.
Throwing back her hands in sorrow which she is trying vainly to suppress.
Ah, how good it would be now to rise from the ground and fly—and fly for a long, long time.
Enter Maurice.
MAURICE
I am ready now, I have cleaned my teeth. I've even taken a walk in the garden. But I have never before noticed that we have such a beautiful garden! Papa, our garden is wonderfully beautiful!
JEANNE
Coffee will be ready directly. If he disturbs you with his talk, call me, Emil.
MAURICE
Oh, I did not mean to disturb you. Forgive me, papa. I'll not disturb you any more.
EMIL GRELIEU
You may speak, speak. I am feeling quite well, quite well.
JEANNE
But you must save your strength, don't forget that, Emil.
Exit.
MAURICE
Sitting down quietly at the window.
Perhaps I really ought not to speak, papa?
EMIL GRELIEU
Smiling faintly.
Can you be silent?
MAURICE
Blushing.
No, father, I cannot just now. I suppose I seem to you very young.
EMIL GRELIEU
And what do you think of it yourself?
MAURICE
Blushing again.
I am no longer as young as I was three weeks ago. Yes, only three weeks ago—I remember the tolling of the bells in our church, I remember how I teased François. How strange that François has been lost and no one knows where he is. What does it mean that a human being is lost and no one knows where he is? Before, one could see everything on earth.
EMIL GRELIEU
Yes.
MAURICE
Papa! Why do they hang such people as François? That is cruel and stupid. Forgive me for speaking so harshly. But need an old man love his fatherland less than I love it, for instance? The old people love it even more intensely. Let everyone fight as he can. I am not tiring you, am I? An old man came to us, he was very feeble, he asked for bullets—well, let them hang me too—I gave him bullets. A few of our regiment made sport of him, but he said: "If only one Prussian bullet will strike me, it means that the Prussians will have one bullet less." That appealed to me.
EMIL GRELIEU
Yes, that appeals to me, too. Have you heard the cannonading at dawn?
MAURICE
No. Why, was there any cannonading?
EMIL GRELIEU
Yes. I heard cannonading. Did mamma tell you that they are coming nearer and nearer? They are approaching.
MAURICE
Rising.
Really? Impossible!
EMIL GRELIEU
They are coming, and we must leave for Antwerp today.
MAURICE
Yes.
He rises and walks back and forth, forgetting his wounded arm. He is greatly agitated. Clenches his fist.
MAURICE
Father, tell me: What do you think of the present state of affairs?
EMIL GRELIEU
Mamma says there is a God and there is righteousness.
MAURICE
Raising his hand.
Mamma says——Let God bless mamma! I don't know—I—. Very well, very well. We shall see; we shall see!
His face twitches like a child's face. He is trying to repress his tears.
MAURICE
I still owe them something for Pierre. Forgive me, father; I don't know whether I have a right to say this or not, but I am altogether different from you. It is wicked but I can't help it. I was looking this morning at your flowers in the garden and I felt so sorry—sorry for you, because you had grown them. Those rascals!
EMIL GRELIEU
Maurice!
MAURICE
The scoundrels! I don't want to consider them human beings, and I shall not consider them human beings.
Enter Jeanne.
JEANNE
What is it, Maurice? That isn't right.
MAURICE
Very well.
As he passes he embraces his mother with his left hand and kisses her.
JEANNE
You had better sit down. It is dangerous for your health to walk around this way.
EMIL GRELIEU
Sit down, Maurice.
Maurice sits down at the window facing the garden. Emil Grelieu smiles sadly and closes his eyes. Silvina, the maid, brings in coffee and sets it on the table near Grelieu's bed.
SILVINA
Good morning, Monsieur Emil.
EMIL GRELIEU
Opening his eyes.
Good morning, Silvina.
Exit Silvina.
JEANNE
Go and have your breakfast, Maurice.
MAURICE
Without turning around.
I don't want any breakfast. Mamma, I'll take off my bandage tomorrow.
JEANNE
Laughing.
Soldier, is it possible that you are capricious?
Silence. Jeanne helps Emil Grelieu with his coffee.
JEANNE
That's the way. Is it convenient for you this way, or do you want to drink it with a spoon?
EMIL GRELIEU
Oh, my poor head, it is so weak—
MAURICE
Going over to him.
Forgive me, father, I'll not do it any more. I was foolishly excited, but do you know I could not endure it. May I have a cup, mamma?
JEANNE
Yes, this is yours. You feel better now?
MAURICE
Yes, I do.
EMIL GRELIEU
I am feeling perfectly well today, Jeanne. When is the bandage to be changed?
JEANNE
Later. Count Clairmont will bring his surgeon along with him.
MAURICE
Who is that, mamma? Have I seen him?
JEANNE
You'll see him. But, please, Maurice, when you see him, don't open your mouth so wide. You have a habit—you open your mouth and then you forget about it.
MAURICE
Blushing.
You are both looking at me and smiling. But I have time yet to grow. I have time yet to grow.
The sound of automobiles is heard.
JEANNE
Rising quickly.
I think they are here. Maurice, this is only Count Clairmont, don't forget. I'll be back directly. They will speak with you about a very, very important matter, Emil, but you must not be agitated.
EMIL GRELIEU
Yes, I know.
JEANNE
Kissing him quickly.
I am going.
Exit, almost colliding with Silvina, who is excited.
MAURICE
Whispering.
Who is it, Silvina?
Silvina makes some answer in mingled delight and awe. Maurice's face assumes the same expression as Silvina's. Silvina goes out. Maurice walks quickly to the window and raises his left hand to his forehead, straightening himself in military fashion. Thus he stands until the others notice him.
Enter Jeanne, Count Clairmont, followed by Secretary Lagard and the Count's adjudant, an elderly General of stem appearance, with numerous decorations upon his chest. The Count himself is tall, well built and young, in a modest officer's uniform, without any medals to signify his high station. He carries himself very modestly, almost bashfully, but overcoming his first uneasiness, he speaks warmly and powerfully and freely. His gestures are swift. All treat him with profound respect.
Lagard is a strong old man with a leonine gray head. He speaks simply, his gestures are calm and resolute. It is evident that he is in the habit of speaking from a platform.
Jeanne holds a large bouquet of flowers in her hands. Count Clairmont walks directly toward Grelieu's bedside.
COUNT CLAIRMONT
Confused.
I have come to shake hands with you, my dear master. Oh, but do not make a single unnecessary movement, not a single one, otherwise I shall be very unhappy!
EMIL GRELIEU
I am deeply moved, I am happy.
COUNT CLAIRMONT
No, no, don't speak that way. Here stands before you only a man who has learned to think from your books. But see what they have done to you—look, Lagard!
LAGARD
How are you, Grelieu? I, too, want to shake your hand. Today I am a Secretary by the will of Fate, but yesterday I was only a physician, and I may congratulate you—you have a kind hand. Let me feel your pulse.
GENERAL
Coming forward modestly.
Allow me, too, in the name of this entire army of ours to express to you our admiration, Monsieur Grelieu!
EMIL GRELIEU
I thank you. I am feeling perfectly well, Lagard.
COUNT CLAIRMONT
But perhaps it is necessary to have a surgeon?
JEANNE
He can listen and talk, Count. He is smiling—he can listen.
COUNT CLAIRMONT
Noticing Maurice, confused.
Oh! who is this? Please put down your hand—you are wounded.
MAURICE
I am so happy, Count.
JEANNE
This is our second son. Our first son, Pierre, was killed at Liège—
COUNT CLAIRMONT
I dare not console you, Madame Grelieu. Give me your hand, Maurice.
MAURICE
Oh, Count! I am only a soldier. I dare not—
COUNT CLAIRMONT
My dear young man, I, too, am nothing but a soldier now. Your hand, comrade. That's the way. Master! My children and my wife have sent you flowers—but where are they? Oh! how absentminded I am.
JEANNE
Here they are, Count.
COUNT CLAIRMONT
Thank you. But I did not know that your flowers were better than mine, for my flowers smell of smoke.
LAGARD
Like all Belgium.
To Count Clairmont.
His pulse is good. Grelieu, we have come to you not only to express our sympathy. Through me all the working people of Belgium are shaking your hand.
EMIL GRELIEU
I am proud of it, Lagard.
LAGARD
But we are just as proud. Yes; there is something we must discuss with you. Count Clairmont did not wish to disturb you, but I said: "Let him die, but before that we must speak to him." Isn't that so, comrade?
EMIL GRELIEU
I am not dying. Maurice, I think you had better go out.
COUNT CLAIRMONT
Quickly.
Oh, no, no. He is your son, Grelieu, and he should be present to hear what his father will say. Oh, I should have been proud to have such a father.
LAGARD
Our Count is a very fine young man—Pardon me, Count, I have again upset our—
COUNT CLAIRMONT
That's nothing, I have already grown accustomed to it. Master, it is necessary for you and your family to leave for Antwerp today.
EMIL GRELIEU
Are our affairs in such a critical condition?
LAGARD
What is there to tell? Things are in bad shape, very bad. That horde of Huns is coming upon us like the tide of the sea. Today they are still there, but tomorrow they will flood your house, Grelieu. They are coming toward Antwerp. To what can we resort in our defence? On this side are they, and there is the sea. Only very little is left of Belgium, Grelieu. Very soon there will be no room even for my beard here. Isn't that so, Count?
Silence. Dull sounds of cannonading are heard in the distance. All turn their eyes to the window.
EMIL GRELIEU
Is that a battle?
COUNT CLAIRMONT
Listening, calmly.
No, that is only the beginning. But tomorrow they will carry their devilish weapons past your house. Do you know they are real iron monsters, under whose weight our earth is quaking and groaning. They are moving slowly, like amphibia that have crawled out at night from the abyss—but they are moving! Another few days will pass, and they will crawl over to Antwerp, they will turn their jaws to the city, to the churches—Woe to Belgium, master! Woe to Belgium!
LAGARD
Yes, it is very bad. We are an honest and peaceful people despising bloodshed, for war is such a stupid affair! And we should not have had a single soldier long ago were it not for this accursed neighbor, this den of murderers.
GENERAL
And what would we have done without any soldiers, Monsieur Lagard?
LAGARD
And what can we do with soldiers, Monsieur General?
COUNT CLAIRMONT
You are wrong, Lagard. With our little army there is still one possibility—to die as freemen die. But without an army we would have been bootblacks, Lagard!
LAGARD
Grumbling.
Well, I would not clean anybody's boots. Things are in bad shape, Grelieu, in very bad shape. And there is but one remedy left for us—. True, it is a terrible remedy.
EMIL GRELIEU
I know.
LAGARD
Yes? What is it?
EMIL GRELIEU
The dam.
Jeanne and Emil shudder and look at each other with terror in their eyes.
COUNT CLAIRMONT
You shuddered, you are shuddering, madame. But what am I to do, what are we to do, we who dare not shudder?
JEANNE
Oh, I simply thought of a girl who was trying to find her way to Lonua. She will never find her way to Lonua.
COUNT CLAIRMONT
But what is to be done? What is to be done?
All become thoughtful. The Count steps away to the window and looks out, nervously twitching his mustaches. Maurice has moved aside and, as before, stands at attention. Jeanne stands a little distance away from him, with her shoulder leaning against the wall, her beautiful pale head thrown back. Lagard is sitting at the bedside as before, stroking his gray, disheveled beard. The General is absorbed in gloomy thoughts.
COUNT CLAIRMONT
Turning around resolutely.
I am a peaceful man, but I can understand why people take up arms. Arms! That means a sword, a gun, explosive contrivances. That is fire. Fire is killing people, but at the same time it also gives light. Fire cleanses. There is something of the ancient sacrifice in it. But water! cold, dark, silent, covering with mire, causing bodies to swell—water, which was the beginning of chaos; water, which is guarding the earth by day and night in order to rush upon it. My friend, believe me, I am quite a daring man, but I am afraid of water! Lagard, what would you say to that?
LAGARD
We Belgians have too long been struggling against the water not to have learned to fear it. I am also afraid of water.
JEANNE
But what is more terrible, the Prussians or water?
GENERAL
Bowing.
Madame is right. The Prussians are not more terrible, but they are worse.
LAGARD
Yes. We have no other choice. It is terrible to release water from captivity, the beast from its den, nevertheless it is a better friend to us than the Prussians. I would prefer to see the whole of Belgium covered with water rather than extend a hand of reconciliation to a scoundrel! Neither they nor we shall live to see that, even if the entire Atlantic Ocean rush over our heads.
Brief pause.
GENERAL
But I hope that we shall not come to that. Meanwhile it is necessary for us to flood only part of our territory. That is not so terrible.
JEANNE
Her eyes closed, her head hanging down.
And what is to be done with those who could not abandon their homes, who are deaf, who are sick and alone? What will become of our children?
Silence.
JEANNE
There in the fields and in the ditches are the wounded. There the shadows of people are wandering about, but in their veins there is still warm blood. What will become of them? Oh, don't look at me like that, Emil; you had better not listen to what I am saying. I have spoken so only because my heart is wrung with pain—it isn't necessary to listen to me at all, Count.
Count Clairmont walks over to Grelieu's bed quickly and firmly. At first he speaks confusedly, seeking the right word; then he speaks ever more boldly and firmly.
COUNT CLAIRMONT
My dear and honored master! We would not have dared to take from you even a drop of your health, if—if it were not for the assurance that serving your people may give new strength to your heroic soul! Yesterday, it was resolved at our council to break the dams and flood part of our kingdom, but I could not, I dared not, give my full consent before I knew what you had to say to this plan. I did not sleep all night long, thinking—oh, how terrible, how inexpressibly sad my thoughts were! We are the body, we are the hands, we are the head—while you, Grelieu, you are the conscience of our people. Blinded by the war, we may unwillingly, unwittingly, altogether against our will, violate man-made laws. Let your noble heart tell us the truth. My friend! We are driven to despair, we have no Belgium any longer, it is trampled by our enemies, but in your breast, Emil Grelieu, the heart of all Belgium is beating—and your answer will be the answer of our tormented, blood-stained, unfortunate land!
He turns away to the window. Maurice is crying, looking at his father.
LAGARD
Softly.
Bravo, Belgium!
Silence. The sound of cannonading is heard.
JEANNE
Softly, to Maurice.
Sit down, Maurice, it is hard for you to stand.
MAURICE
Oh, mamma! I am so happy to stand here now—
LAGARD
Now I shall add a few words. As you know, Grelieu, I am a man of the people. I know the price the people pay for their hard work. I know the cost of all these gardens, orchards and factories which we shall bury under the water. They have cost us sweat and health and tears, Grelieu. These are our sufferings which will be transformed into joy for our children. But as a nation that loves and respects liberty above its sweat and blood and tears—as a nation, I say, I would prefer that sea waves should seethe here over our heads rather than that we should have to black the boots of the Prussians. And if nothing but islands remain of Belgium they will be known as "honest islands," and the islanders will be Belgians as before.
All are agitated.
EMIL GRELIEU
And what do the engineers say?
GENERAL
Respectfully waiting for the Count's answer.
Monsieur Grelieu, they say this can be done in two hours.
LAGARD
Grumbles.
In two hours! In two hours! How many years have we been building it!
GENERAL
The engineers were crying when they said it, Monsieur.
LAGARD
The engineers were crying? But how could they help crying? Think of it, Grelieu!
Suddenly he bursts into sobs, and slowly takes a handkerchief from his pocket.
COUNT CLAIRMONT
We are awaiting your answer impatiently, Grelieu. You are charged with a grave responsibility to your fatherland—to lift your hand against your own fatherland.
EMIL GRELIEU Have we no other defence?
Silence. All stand in poses of painful anxiety. Lagard dries his eyes and slowly answers with a sigh.
LAGARD
No.
GENERAL
No.
JEANNE
Shaking her head.
No.
COUNT CLAIRMONT
Rapidly.
We must gain time, Grelieu. By the power of all our lives, thrown in the fields, we cannot stop them.
Stamping his foot.
Time, time! We must steal from fate a small part of eternity—a few days, a week! They are hastening to us. The Russians are coming to us from the East. The German steel has already penetrated to the heart of the French land—and infuriated with pain, the French eagle is rising over the Germans' bayonets and is coming toward us! The noble knights of the sea—the British—are already rushing toward us, and to Belgium are their powerful arms stretched out over the abyss. But, time, time! Give us time, Grelieu. Belgium is praying for a few days, for a few hours! You have already given to Belgium your blood, Grelieu, and you have the right to lift your hand against your blood-stained fatherland!
Brief pause.
EMIL GRELIEU
We must break the dams.
Curtain
Night. A small house occupied by the German staff. A sentinel on guard at the door leading to the rooms occupied by the Commander of the army. All the doors and windows are open. The room is illuminated with candles. Two officers on duty are talking lazily, suffering apparently from the heat. All is quiet in the camp. Only from time to time the measured footsteps of pickets are heard, and muffled voices and angry exclamations.
VON RITZAU
Do you feel sleepy, von Stein?
VON STEIN
I don't feel sleepy, but I feel like smoking.
RITZAU
A bad habit! But you may smoke near the window.
STEIN
But what ifheshould come in? Thank you, von Ritzau. What a stifling night! Not a breath of pure air enters the lungs. The air is poisoned with the smell of smoke. We must invent something against this obnoxious odor. Take it up, Ritzau.
RITZAU
I am not an inventor. First of all it is necessary to wring out the air as they wring the clothes they wash, and dry it in the sun. It is so moist, I feel as though I were diving in it. Do you know whetherheis in a good mood today?
STEIN
Why, is he subject to moods, good or bad?
RITZAU
Great self-restraint!
STEIN
Have you ever seen him undressed—or half-dressed? Or have you ever seen his hair in disorder? He is a wonderful old man!
RITZAU
He speaks so devilishly little, Stein.
STEIN
He prefers to have his cannon speak. It is quite a powerful voice, isn't it, Ritzau?
They laugh softly. A tall, handsome officer enters quickly and goes toward the door leading to the room of the Commander.
Blumenfeld! Any news?
The tall officer waves his hand and opens the door cautiously, ready to make his bow.
He is malting his career!
RITZAU
He is a good fellow. I can't bear it, Stein. I am suffocating here.
STEIN
Would you rather be in Paris?
RITZAU
I would prefer any less unbearable country to this. How dull it must be here in the winter time.
STEIN
But we have saved them from dullness for a long time to come. Were you ever in the Montmartre cafés, Ritzau?
RITZAU
Of course!
STEIN
Doesn't one find there a wonderful refinement, culture and innate elegance? Unfortunately, our Berlin people are far different.
RITZAU
Oh, of course. Great!
The tall officer comes out of the door, stepping backward. He heaves a sigh of relief and sits down near the two officers. Takes out a cigar.
VON BLUMENFELD
How are things?
RITZAU
Very well. We were talking of Paris.
STEIN
Then I am going to smoke too.
BLUMENFELD
You may smoke. He is not coming out Do you want to hear important news?
STEIN
Well?
BLUMENFELD He laughed just now I
STEIN
Really!
BLUMENFELD
Upon my word of honor! And he touched my shoulder with two fingers—do you understand?
STEIN
With envy.
Of course! I suppose you brought him good news, Blumenfeld?
The military telegraphist, standing at attention, hands Blumenfeld a folded paper.
TELEGRAPHIST A radiogram, Lieutenant!
BLUMENFELD
Let me have it.
Slowly he puts his cigar on the window sill and enters the Commander's room cautiously.
STEIN
He's a lucky fellow. You may say what you please about luck, but it exists. Who is this Blumenfeld? Von?—Did you know his father? Or his grandfather?
RITZAU
I have reason to believe that he had no grandfather at all. But he is a good comrade.
Blumenfeld comes out and rejoins the two officers, taking up his cigar.
STEIN
Another military secret?
BLUMENFELD
Of course. Everything that is said and done here is a military secret. But I may tell you about it. The information we have received concerns our new siege guns—they are advancing successfully.
STEIN
Oho!
BLUMENFELD
Yes, successfully. They have just passed the most difficult part of the road—you know where the swamps are—
STEIN
Oh, yes.
RITZAU
Great!
BLUMENFELD
The road could not support the heavy weight and caved in. Our commander was very uneasy. He ordered a report about the movement at each and every kilometer.
STEIN
Now he will sleep in peace.
BLUMENFELD
He never sleeps, von Stein.
STEIN
That's true.
BLUMENFELD
He never sleeps, von Stein! When he is not listening to reports or issuing commands, he is thinking. As the personal correspondent of his Highness I have the honor to know many things which others are not allowed to know—Oh, gentlemen, he has a wonderful mind!
RITZAU
Great!
Another very young officer enters, stands at attention before Blumenfeld.
BLUMENFELD
Sit down, von Schauss. I am talking about our Commander.
SCHAUSS
Oh!
BLUMENFELD
He has a German philosophical mind which manages guns as Leibnitz managed ideas. Everything is preconceived, everything is prearranged, the movement of our millions of people has been elaborated into such a remarkable system that Kant himself would have been proud of it. Gentlemen, we are led forward by indomitable logic and by an iron will. We are inexorable as Fate.
The officers express their approval by subdued exclamations of "bravo."
BLUMENFELD
How can he sleep, if the movement of our armies is but the movement of parts of his brains! And what is the use of sleep in general? I sleep very little myself, and I advise you, gentlemen, not to indulge in foolish sleep.
RITZAU
But our human organism requires sleep.
BLUMENFELD
Nonsense! Organism—that is something invented by the doctors who are looking for practice among the fools. I know of no organism. I know only my desires and my will, which says: "Gerhardt, do this! Gerhardt, go there! Gerhardt, take this!" And I take it!
RITZAU
Great!
SCHAUSS
Will you permit me to take down your words in my notebook?
BLUMENFELD
Please, Schauss. What is it you want, Zigler?
The telegraphist has entered.
ZIGLER
I really don't know, but something strange has happened. It seems that we are being interfered with, I can't understand anything.
BLUMENFELD
What is it? What is the matter?
ZIGLER
We can make out one word, "Water"—but after that all is incomprehensible. And then again, "Water"—
BLUMENFELD
What water? You are intoxicated, Zigler. That must be wine, not water. Is the engineer there?
ZIGLER
He is also surprised and cannot understand.
BLUMENFELD
You are a donkey, Zigler! We'll have to call out—
The Commander comes out. He is a tall, erect old man. His face is pale. His voice is dry and unimpassioned.
COMMANDER
Blumenfeld!
All jump up, straighten themselves, as if petrified.
What is this?
BLUMENFELD
I have not yet investigated it, your Highness. Zigler is reporting—
COMMANDER
What is it, Zigler?
ZIGLER
Your Highness, we are being interfered with. I don't know what it is, but I can't understand anything. We have been able to make out only one word—"Water." Then again—"Water."
COMMANDER
Turning around.
See what it is, Blumenfeld, and report to me—
Engineer runs in.
ENGINEER
Where is Blumenfeld? I beg your pardon, your Highness!
COMMANDER
Pausing.
What has happened there, Kloetz?
ENGINEER
They don't respond to our calls, your Highness. They are silent like the dead. Something has happened there.
COMMANDER
You think something serious has happened?
ENGINEER
I dare not think so, your Highness, but I am alarmed. Silence is the only answer to our most energetic calls. But Greitzer wishes to say something. ... Well? What is it, Greitzer?
The second telegraphist has entered quietly.
GREITZER
They are silent, your Highness.
Brief pause.
COMMANDER
Again turning to the door.
Please investigate this, Lieutenant.
He advances a step to the door, then stops. There is a commotion behind the windows—a noise and the sound of voices. The word "water" is repeated frequently. The noise keeps growing, turning at times into a loud roar.
What is that?
All turn to the window. An officer, bareheaded, rushes in excitedly, his hair disheveled, his face pale.
OFFICER
I want to see his Highness. I want to see his Highness!
BLUMENFELD
Hissing.
You are insane!
COMMANDER
Calm yourself, officer.
OFFICER
Your Highness! I have the honor to report to you that the Belgians have burst the dams, and our armies are flooded. Water!
With horror.
We must hurry, your Highness!
COMMANDER
Hurry! I ask you to calm yourself, officer. What about our guns?
OFFICER
They are flooded, your Highness.
COMMANDER
Compose yourself, you are not behaving properly! I am asking you about our field guns—
OFFICER
They are flooded, your Highness. The water is coming this way. We must hurry, your Highness, we are in a valley. This place is very low. They have broken the dams; and the water is rushing this way violently. It is only five kilometers away from here—and we can hardly—. I beg your pardon, your Highness!
Silence. The commotion without is growing louder. Glimmering lights appear. The beginning of a terrible panic is felt, embracing the entire camp. All watch impatiently the reddening face of the Commander.
COMMANDER
But this is—
He strikes the table with his fist forcibly.
Absurd!
He looks at them with cold fury, but all lower their eyes. The frightened officer is trembling and gazing at the window. The lights grow brighter outside—it is evident that a building has been set on fire. The voices without have turned into a roar. A dull noise, then the crash of shots is heard. The discipline is disappearing gradually.
BLUMENFELD
They have gone mad!
OFFICER
They are firing! It is an attack!
STEIN
But that can't be the Belgians!
RITZAU
They may have availed themselves—
BLUMENFELD
Aren't you ashamed, Stein? Aren't you ashamed, gentlemen?
COMMANDER Silence! I beg of you—
Suddenly a piercing, wild sound of a horn is heard ordering to retreat. The roaring sound is growing rapidly.
COMMANDER
Shots.
Who has commanded to retreat? Who dares command when I am here? What a disgrace, Blumenfeld! Order them to return!
Blumenfeld lowers his head.
COMMANDER
This is not the German Army! You are unworthy of being called soldiers! Shame! I am ashamed to call myself your general! Cowards!
BLUMENFELD
Stepping forward, with dignity.
Your Highness!
OFFICER
Eh! We are not fishes to swim in the water!
Runs out, followed by two or three others. The panic is growing.
BLUMENFELD
Your Highness! We ask you—. Your life is in danger—your Highness.
Some one else runs out. The room is almost empty. Only the sentinel remains in the position of one petrified.
BLUMENFELD
Your Highness! I implore you. Your life—I am afraid that another minute, and it will be too late! Oh, your Highness!
COMMANDER
But this is—
Again strikes the table with his fist.
But this is absurd, Blumenfeld!
Curtain
The same hour of night. In the darkness it is difficult to discern the silhouettes of the ruined buildings and of the trees. At the right, a half-destroyed bridge. In the distance a fire is burning. From time to time the German flashlights are seen across the dark sky. Near the bridge, an automobile in which the wounded Emil Grelieu and his son are being carried to Antwerp. Jeanne and a young physician are with them. Something has broken down in the automobile and a soldier-chauffeur is bustling about with a lantern trying to repair it. Dr. Langloi stands near him.
DOCTOR
Uneasily.
Well? How is it?
CHAUFFEUR
Examining.
I don't know yet.
DOCTOR
Is it a serious break?
CHAUFFEUR
No—I don't know.
MAURICE
From the automobile.
What is it, Doctor? Can't we start?
CHAUFFEUR
Angrily.
We'll start!
DOCTOR
I don't know. Something is out of order. He says it isn't serious.
MAURICE
Shall we stay here long?
DOCTOR
To the chauffeur.
Shall we stay here long?
CHAUFFEUR
Angrily.
How do I know? About ten minutes I think. Please hold the light for me.
Hands the lantern to the doctor.
MAURICE
Then I will come out.
JEANNE
You had better stay here, Maurice. You may hurt your arm.
MAURICE
No, mother, I am careful. Where is the step? How inconvenient. Why don't they throw the flashlight here?
Jumps off and watches the chauffeur at work.
MAURICE
How unfortunate that we are stuck here!
CHAUFFEUR
Grumbling.
A bridge! How can anybody drive across such a bridge?
DOCTOR
Yes, it is unfortunate. We should have started out earlier.
MAURICE
Shrugging his shoulders.
Father did not want to leave. How could we start? Mamina, do you think our people are already in Antwerp?
JEANNE
Yes, I think so. Emil, aren't you cold?
EMIL GRELIEU
No. It is very pleasant to breathe the fresh air. I feel stronger.
DOCTOR
To Maurice.
I think we are still in the region which—
MAURICE
Yes. What time is it, Doctor?
DOCTOR
Looking at his watch.
Twenty—a quarter of ten.
MAURICE
Then it is a quarter of an hour since the bursting of the dams. Yes! Mamma, do you hear, it is a quarter of ten now!
JEANNE
Yes, I hear.
MAURICE
But it is strange that we haven't heard any explosions.
DOCTOR
How can you say that, Monsieur Maurice? It is very far away.
MAURICE
I thought that such explosions would be heard a hundred kilometers away. My God, how strange it is! Our house and our garden will soon be flooded! I wonder how high the water will rise. Do you think it will reach up to the second story?