The Joy Of Living (Es Lebe Das Leben) - LightNovelsOnl.com
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Oh, Ellen and Norbert! I've no objection to the match, none whatever--but it's _your_ scheme, not mine, and you can't expect me to be particularly enthusiastic about it. But I should think it would be one more reason for _you_ to keep quiet.
Beata.
Then--if you don't mean to do anything--why did you bring me this?
Leonie (_with irrepressible triumph_).
Why did I bring it? Because I--(_relapses into her usual amiability_)--I thought it might interest you, and you see I was not mistaken. Ah, here comes Norbert!
_Enter_ Norbert.
Norbert.
I'm sorry to have kept you, mother. The carriage was-- (_Startled_.) Why, Aunt Beata, what's the matter?
Beata (_making an effort to smile_).
Nothing, Norbert, dear.
Leonie.
Well, good-bye, Beata. Do be careful of yourself! I should be so sorry to think I had done anything to excite you. Come, Norbert, you must put me in the carriage, and then you can come back to your dear aunt.
Norbert.
I beg your pardon, mother, but I think Aunt Beata needs me now. If you'll wait for me a moment downstairs----
Leonie.
What did I say? I congratulate you, Beata! (_She goes out alone_.)
Norbert.
What has she been saying to you?
Beata.
Oh, she was right--so right!
Norbert (_alarmed_).
Aunt Beata!
Beata (_with an effort_).
Norbert--my son--take me to Ellen. In a few minutes I shall be quite----
Norbert.
Come, come-- (_Leads her gently out. Sounds of talk and laughter come from the inner room_.)
_Enter_ Kellinghausen.
Kellinghausen.
(_Putting his head through the curtains_.) Ha! No one there? Have our wives made way with each other? (_To_ Richard, _who has followed him_.) They're not so deuced fond of one another. I say, old man, just now, when I was talking about the elections, why did you all put on that air of statesmanlike reserve? Did I say anything out of the way?
Richard.
What an absurd idea!
Kellinghausen.
One is always liable to make an a.s.s of one's self. I'm not conscious of having blundered, but--oh, well, I sha'n't get anything out of you.
(_Raising the curtain and calling out_--) Brachtmann--Usingen--come here a moment.
Richard.
Michael, if you take my advice we'll drop the election for the present.
I give you my word that if anything occurs that reflects on you----
Kellinghausen.
On me? Reflects on me? What on earth do you mean? I'm thinking of the party. Our business is to look out for the party.
_Enter_ Brachtmann _and the_ Prince, _followed a moment or two later by_ Norbert.
Brachtmann.
Hear, hear! But what are you talking about?
Kellinghausen (_to_ Norbert).
Aha, young man, where have you come from? Tea in the school-room, eh?
Norbert.
Aunt Beata was not very well, Uncle Michael. (Richard _starts_.)
Kellinghausen.
Ah?
Norbert.
She is feeling better now. She will be here in a few minutes.
Kellinghausen.
