The Joy Of Living (Es Lebe Das Leben) - LightNovelsOnl.com
You're reading novel online at LightNovelsOnl.com. Please use the follow button to get notifications about your favorite novels and its latest chapters so you can come back anytime and won't miss anything.
Richard.
(_Making a perceptible effort to change the conversation_.) My dear Countess, no one ever ventures to dispute your statements. But there is one family about which I want to say a word and that is the one we are in. (_Rising_.) I drink to the house of Kellinghausen!
The Others.
Hear--hear!
Richard.
The house of Kellinghausen! As I look back over my life, I don't know how to sum up all I owe to it. (_He turns to_ Beata.) To you, my dear friend----
Kellinghausen (_with forced gaiety_).
Is this a settlement in full, my dear fellow?
Richard.
(_Taken aback, but recovering himself instantly_.) You're right, Michael. There's no use trying; but there's something I want to say to you.
Kellinghausen.
Hear! hear!
Richard (_to the others_).
Since yesterday, you all know what I owe him. My success is his doing, all his doing. If I've gained my end, if I've reached the goal at last, it's to Kellinghausen I owe it. Here's to my good friend and yours!
The Others.
Hear! Hear! (_They clink their gla.s.ses_.)
Kellinghausen.
(_With a strained laugh, as he and_ Richard _touch gla.s.ses_.) You might have left that out.
Richard.
I should have written it if I hadn't said it.
Kellinghausen (_still on his feet_).
Gentlemen--Beata--I may speak for all of you, I believe? I think our friend Volkerlingk proved conclusively yesterday that if he has taken my place it is because he has the best right to it. (_On the verge of an outburst_.) A better right to it--than-- (_He is checked by a terrified glance from_ Beata, _who utters a low exclamation_.) Well--well--I'm not much of a speech-maker.--Gentlemen--Beata--long life to our friend Volkerlingk--long life to my successor!
Beata.
(_In a low voice, while the others gather about_ Richard.) Long life to him! (_She presses her hand to her heart, and rests heavily against the arm of her chair_.)
Prince (_to_ Kellinghausen).
Is anything wrong with the Countess?
Kellinghausen.
Beata!
Beata (_raising herself with a smile_).
Yes?
Kellinghausen.
Would you not rather go into the drawing-room? You look tired. (_She shakes her head_.)
Richard.
(_In a formal tone, with a glance at_ Michael.) We all beg of you, Countess----
Beata.
(_Looking from one to the other with growing apprehension_.) No--no--no--I'm quite--quite--on the contrary--_I_ have a toast to propose. (Richard _makes a startled gesture_.) Yes--a toast of my own!
But please all sit down first----
Prince.
Woman disposes!
Kellinghausen.
Beata, you are overtaxing yourself. Be careful.
Beata.
My dear friends, you all go on wis.h.i.+ng each other a long life but which of us is really alive? Which of us really dares to live? Somewhere, far off in the distance, we catch a glimpse of life--but we hide our eyes and shrink away from it like transgressors. And that's our nearest approach to living! Do you really think you're alive--any one of you?
Or do you think I am? (_She springs up with an inspired look_.) But I, at least--I--whose whole life is one long struggle against death--I who never sleep, who hardly breathe, who barely stand--I at least know how to laugh, how to love life and be thankful for it! (_She staggers to her feet, raising her gla.s.s, her voice no more than a hoa.r.s.e whisper_.) And as the only living soul among you, I drink to the joy of living!
The Others (_holding out their gla.s.ses_).
Good! Good! Bravo!
Beata.
(_Draws a deep breath, sets down her gla.s.s, and looks about her confusedly. Her eyes rest on_ Richard, _and then turn to_ Michael, _to whom she speaks_.) I think I will take your advice and go into the other room for a little while. (_She rises with an effort_.)
Kellinghausen.
There, Beata! I warned you.
Baron Ludwig (_offering her his arm_).
