The Lonely Way-Intermezzo-Countess Mizzie - LightNovelsOnl.com
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But then your chances should be better than ever. Whom could they possibly consider besides you?
REUMANN
I suppose my chances wouldn't be bad. But I have preferred to forgo them.
MRS. WEGRAT
How?
REUMANN
I won't accept the call.
MRS. WEGRAT
Is that out of superst.i.tion?
FELIX
Or out of pride?
REUMANN
Neither. But the thought of having another man's misfortune to thank for my own advancement would be extremely painful to me. Half my life would be spoiled for me. That is neither superst.i.tion nor pride, you see, but just commonplace, small-minded vanity.
SALA
You're a subtle one, Doctor.
MRS. WEGRAT
Well, all I gather is that you are going to stay. Which shows how mean your thoughts grow when you are sick.
REUMANN (_changing the subject on purpose_)
Well, Felix, how do you find life in a garrison?
FELIX
Fine.
MRS. WEGRAT
So you are really satisfied, boy?
FELIX
I feel very thankful to all of you. Especially to you, mamma.
MRS. WEGRAT
Why to me especially? After all, the decision lay with your father in the last instance.
REUMANN
He would, of course, have preferred to see you choose a more peaceful calling.
SALA
Oh, but to-day there is none more peaceful.
FELIX
That's where you are right, Mr. von Sala.--By the by, I was to give you the regards of Lieutenant-Colonel Schrotting.
SALA
Thank you. Does he still remember me?
FELIX
Not he alone. We are constantly being reminded of you--at every meal, in fact. Yours is among the pictures of former officers that hang in the mess rooms.
WEGRAT (_enters_)
Good evening.--Why, Felix, are you here again? What a surprise!
FELIX
Good evening, papa. I have applied for a two-day furlough.
WEGRAT
Furlough ... furlough? A real one? Or is it another one of those little brilliant tricks?
FELIX (_cheerfully and without taking offence_)
I am not in the habit of fibbing, papa, am I?
WEGRAT (_in the same tone_)
I meant no offense, my boy. Even if you had been guilty of deserting the flag, your longing to see your mother would be sufficient excuse for you.
MRS. WEGRAT
To see his parents, you mean.
WEGRAT
