Morituri: Three One-Act Plays - 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.
What was I to do, father, after Lanski declared to those who delivered my challenge that I was no longer--capable of having satisfaction?
Major.
Ah! I will shoot the dog dead for that.
Fritz.
Well, I hope they will decide favourably to me.
Major.
If not, the dev-- (_Softly_.) And then I will tell you a couple of measures to take so as to have a steady hand. Sleep properly, and don't eat a bite, and then tell the doctor----
Fritz.
Enough, enough, father, that is of no further use.
Major.
What does that mean? Is it possible that you will--to Lanski?----
Fritz.
Lanski will hit me. Depend upon it....
Major.
Man, are you--are you----?
Fritz.
Lanski will hit me. Depend upon it....
Major.
Man, yet have--yet consider----
Fritz.
I will not, father! And if you had seen the spectacle which the people of Wartenstein saw yesterday (_shudders_), you would demand nothing more of life for me than a half-respectable death....
Major (_brokenly_).
Perhaps--they will not--grant you--the duel.
Fritz.
Well, if we have got to that last hope, father, then we are indeed in bad straits.... Shall I perhaps open a dram-shop in Chicago, or a cattle business with my paternal capital? Yes? Would you have done it?
Major (_perplexed_).
I?
Fritz.
Say then say!
Major (_drawing himself up_).
No! (_Sinks down in his chair_.)
Fritz.
So you see, father--so or so--your Fritz is done for.
Major (_sunk in gloomy reverie_).
My fault!--my----
_NINTH SCENE_.
THE SAME. WILHELM. _Afterward_ LIEUTENANT VON HALLERPFORT.
Fritz.
What is it?
Wilhelm.
Lieutenant von Hallerpfort wishes to speak to the young master.
Fritz.
(_Hurrying past him to the door_.) Well?
(Hallerpfort _shakes hands with him and the_ Major, _and casts a glance at_ Wilhelm, _who forthwith disappears_.)
Fritz.
Well?
Hallerpfort.
Does your father know?
Major.
Yes, my dear Hallerpfort, I know.--Granted?
