EIGHTH SCENE.

MAJOR. FRITZ.

Major.

Well, Fritz, my boy, here we are now alone, just out with what you have to say ... Exactly what is the matter?

Fritz.

Nothing, father, absolutely nothing ... What should be the matter?

Major.

You know, this story about the sprained arm and the patrol ride, that is simply a lie!

Fritz.

How so?

Major.

Will you smoke a cigar with me?

Fritz.

If you please ... That is, I should like a glass of water. (Tosses down two glasses of water.)

Major (lights his cigar).

Just see, Fritz, in your rage you fail to notice that I am insulting you here.

Fritz.

How can a father be said to insult his son? If you don't believe me, then you just don't believe me.

Major.

But we are both officers, my son.... Well, let us set that aside--besides that, we are a couple of good friends from time immemorial.... Isn't that the case--are we not?

Fritz.

Oh, to be sure.

Major.

And when I see you running about here--in ecstasy or despair--I can make nothing out of it. Yes, I should like to advise you to put a little more confidence in me.... The affair is surely not so bad that a man of experience cannot put it in order again.... So just sit down here a while.... Have you gambled?

Fritz.

Yes, I have gambled too.

Major.

Have you lost?

Fritz.

No, I have won.

Major.

Then, as to women--how is it about women?

Fritz (shrugs his shoulders).

Ah!

Major.

Boy, don't be so hard in the mouth.... Do you think I don't know you are in love?...

Fritz.

In love? Ah, good God!

Major.

Just think, my boy, only a year and a half ago, you came to me one fine day and explained to me that you wished to engage yourself to Agnes.... You know that I have not the slightest objection to Agnes. She will make an excellent Frau von Drosse.

Fritz.

Indeed? Do you believe it?

Major.

But your twenty-one years and, ah, good God!... You still carry about with you most merrily the eggshells on your back--as the infantry carries the knapsack. You hadn't the slightest idea of what are commonly called "women"--of course, I don't count barmaids and such people.... So I said to you: "My boy, let this interview be buried--and above all, so far as Agnes is concerned.... Do as your father and your grandfather did! Get some experience and--then come again." Don't you remember that?

Fritz.

I should think I did remember it.

Major (smiling).

And now, it seems to me, you have had some experience.

Fritz.

Oh, yes, there is no denying that.

Major (still smiling).

You have in the end had a so-called "passion," or are stuck in the middle of it; which of the two I don't know. Yet to judge from the discontinuance of your letters, the latter is the case.... Since we are here together as two men, I will not expostulate with you further.... You know perhaps the story of that abbé who, in society, once excused the absence of his bishop with the words: "Monseigneur est en retard à cause d'amour." To a certain extent, this holds good in every case.... But in spite of that, on your mother's account, don't do it again. That is my advice to you.... There! And now we'll enter at once upon the matter itself.... Just see, Frau von Lanski is, it will be admitted, a very charming woman, but----

Fritz (impetuously).

Father, how do you come to refer to Frau von Lanski?

Major.

There, there, there, only take it calmly, only take it calmly.... I know just what there is to know about such affairs, and I don't by any means wish to pry into your secrets ... But so far as the grand passion is concerned, be calm.... I can cure you again ... Be quite calm.

Fritz.

That I can well believe, father, if only you have the time necessary to do it.

Major (smiling).

Well, why haven't I?

Fritz.

Because, in twenty-four hours, I shall be a dead man.

Major.

(Springing up, and taking him by the shoulder.) Boy!

Fritz.

Father, I did not wish to tell anything. I came here only to take farewell of you in silence. But you have drawn it out of me, father.

Major (flying into a passion).

So, there's a scandal.... You had to carry it to the point of making a scandal--you damned fool! (More calmly.) Lanski has challenged you?

(Fritz nods assent.)

Major.

Well, yes--and it is well known--Lanski is a dead shot. He is perhaps the best shot anywhere hereabouts.... But still your wrist is in good order. How can one throw the thing away like that? I have fought three duels, and two of them under difficult conditions--eh--and--there, see here! How can one say such a thing? How can one, man?

Fritz.

Father, the affair at this moment is in such a state that, after all, I don't know whether I shall be granted a duel!

Major (hoarsely).

I don't understand that, Fritz.

Fritz.

Then don't ask me!... I can't say it, father.... I had rather bite off my tongue. (Pauses.)

Major.

(Goes to the door on the left, opens it, looks out, and closes it again.) Now speak! (Wildly.) Speak or----

Fritz.

For me, father, there is no more any "or." ... Whether you turn me out or not, it is all the same.

Major (softly, grinding his teeth).

Do you wish to drive me mad, boy?

(Fritz crying out).

He whipped me--across the courtyard--out into the street--whipped me like a beast!

Major (after a silence).

Where was your sabre? You could have run him through.

(Fritz silent, with downcast eyes.)

Major.

Where was your sabre, I ask you?

Fritz.

It was--not--at hand, father.

Major.

It was not at hand.... Hm!... Now I understand it all. Surely there is nothing left to wish! And this catastrophe occurred when?

Fritz.

Yesterday evening, father!

Major.

At what time?

Fritz.

It was still--daylight!

Major.

Ha, ha!

Fritz.

Father, only don't laugh! Have pity on me!

Major.

Have you had pity on me?... Or on your mother? or on--on.... Just look, look about you ... All that was made for you!... All that was waiting for you.... For two centuries we Drosses have struggled and scraped together and fought with death and devil merely for you.... The house of Drosse was resting on your two shoulders, my son.... And you have let it fall into the mire, and now you would like to be pitied!

Fritz.

Dear father, listen.... Since you have known it, I am quite calm.... What you say is all very true, but I cannot bear the responsibility alone. Listen; when I came to you that time, on account of Agnes, my whole heart was attached to her. So far as I was concerned, other men's wives could go to the devil.

Major.

Did I drive you, then, after other men's wives?

Fritz.

Yes, father, otherwise what does that mean: "Get some experience, ripen, do as your father and grandfather did"?... In the regiment, they still call you the wild Drosse, and tales are still told of your former love adventures.... They tell some such stories even of a late date.... For my part, I had not the least taste for such diversions. I used to see in every woman who did not belong to me, a sort of holy thing.... That may have been a green way of looking at it, but you would have allowed it; and with Agnes, I should have quietly----

Major.

Stop! Have pity! Stop!

Fritz.

See, now you say to me all at once, "have pity"--Father, I am a dying man, I did not come here to make reproaches, but do you make none to me!

Major.

(Embracing him, and stroking his hair.) My son--my all--my boy--I don't permit--I will not----

Fritz.

Silence, silence, father! Mother should not hear that.

Major.

Yes, forgive me for giving way. It shall not happen again.... So how does the affair stand now?

Fritz.

I reported myself to the old man, that very night.

Major.

My God! Whatever did the old Frohn say?

Fritz.

Spare me that, father.... Of course, I obtained the usual furlough at once, until the discharge comes. Well, that doesn't matter now.... It does not last long, thus.... This morning, the court of honor had a sitting. After my hearing, I rode away at once, so as to lose no time. I gave Mohammed to Hallerpfort in order to have him follow me as soon as judgment was pronounced. He may be here at any moment.

Major.

Why did you summon a court of honor?

Fritz.

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----