Morituri: Three One-Act Plays - LightNovelsOnl.com
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_SECOND SCENE_.
THE SAME. MAJOR VON DROSSE (_about fifty, tall, broad-shouldered, rather stout. Dark-grayish full beard parted in the middle, waving right and left over his shoulders. In the full, well-browned face with flas.h.i.+ng eyes and bushy eyebrows, there are energy and abundant vitality, controlled by the self-command and chivalric manner of an old officer. Brief in speech, domineering, but never without a gleam of inner kindness_).
Major.
Afternoon, Agnes!
Agnes.
Afternoon, uncle!
Major.
(_Goes to the table, examines the letters, sits down and looks straight before him for a little while_.) Wilhelm!
Wilhelm.
What does the Major wish?
Major.
Stephan is to come at once to the castle.
Wilhelm.
Very well, Major. (_Exit_.)
Major.
Agnes, my child, just listen to me ... You are a reasonable creature ... One that I can talk to.... So the rascal has again not written.
He should have come to us, day before yesterday. Has made no excuses--doesn't write--nothing. That has not happened during the six years that he has been away from home. I ordered him most strictly to send a letter, or at least a card, every day--for with her illness, your aunt must be guarded against the slightest anxiety or excitement.
He knows that, and moreover has always observed it conscientiously. I can't any longer be responsible for your aunt and her weakened heart.
Unless we use every means to keep her in her--visionary life, she will go to pieces.
Agnes.
Uncle!
Major.
We must make up our minds to that, Agnes. Really, I do what I can.
Yesterday I even forged a telegram to her--you know that, eh! I did intend to write to his intimate friend Hallerpfort, but thought better of it. I shall drive into town directly after dark. Without your aunt knowing it, of course--for now, during the harvest, that would upset her still more. So you will stay all night with her, and er--well, the rest I will arrange with Stephan.
Agnes.
Very well, dear uncle.
Major.
Just come here, girl, look me in the face ... We two know each other and ... Eh?
(Agnes _casts down her eyes_.)
Major.
Now see, I know very well that for two years you have been secretly corresponding with Fritz.
Agnes.
Uncle! (_Presses her hands to her face_.)
Major.
There, that will do, that will do, that will do.... You can well believe, if I had been opposed to it on principle, I should have long since put an end to the business, shouldn't I?... But there are things--well, in short, that you don't understand. Well, I should not have begun about the matter to-day, but necessity knows no law, eh? And if I go to see him this evening, I don't wish to grope altogether in the dark.... So--on the basis of what has just been said--have you, perhaps, by any chance had a letter from him?
Agnes.
No, uncle!
Major.
Hm!
Agnes (_hesitating, embarra.s.sed_).
For some time we have not corresponded.
Major.
So?--Ho, ho ...! Who is to blame for that?
Agnes.
Ah, let us not talk about that, uncle. But from another quarter, I have had news of him.
Major.
When?
Agnes.
Yesterday.
Major.
And that you have----?
