SIXTH SCENE.
Archibald Alexander translation
THE SAME. MAJOR. WILHELM.
Major.
Well, darling, are you in good spirits?... No!... Well, what is it then? What is it then?
Frau von Drosse.
Ah, Richard, you surely know.
Major.
Oh, nonsense! Don't worry yourself uselessly.... A young badger like that--service and casino and what not! I used not to do any better myself ... Eh, Wilhelm, that you will have remembered even in your booziness? Many a time I didn't write for four weeks.
Wilhelm (who is handing the coffee).
Yes, Major.
Major.
And were you at all worried then?
Wilhelm.
Yes, Major.
Major.
Old donkey.... Well, you see how it is ... The same old story.
Frau von Drosse.
Richard, do you know, last night a thought came to me. They all idolise him--that boy.
Major.
Yes?
Frau von Drosse.
Well, with the ladies of the regiment, it is no great wonder....
Major.
So far as they wish to get married--no.
Frau von Drosse.
But there is another who takes a very special interest in him--motherly, as one might say.... No, motherly is not just the right word, but at any rate, purely human, purely spiritual--you know what I mean. At the last ball in Wartenstein, she questioned me at length about him, about his childhood, and everything possible. At the time I was really rather indignant, but now it pleases me.... I shall write to her to-day and ask her to keep an eye upon him. For you see, a woman's influence--that is what he needs.
Major.
Ah, the poor devil! And for that purpose, one of the kind.... Who then is it?
Frau von Drosse.
Why! You surely know her ... Frau von Lanski of Steinhof.
(Agnes winces.)
Major.
Ah, indeed--well, to be sure, hm--that is quite probable.
Frau von Drosse.
Their estate is quite close to the city ... There he could always go in the evenings ... If only the husband were not so rude. I should be afraid of him.
Major.
Well, you are not a lieutenant of hussars, darling.
Agnes.
Won't you drink your coffee, aunt? It will be quite cold.
Frau von Drosse.
Ah, the stupid fig-coffee. To be sure, your health is good, you don't need anything of the kind! (drinks) Richard, do you know, last night I saw a vision.
Major.
Well, what did you see this time, darling?
Frau von Drosse.
There was a wide chamber with many mirrors and lights--perhaps it was Versailles--perhaps the castle at Berlin. And hundreds of generals stood there and waited.... (Excitedly.) And suddenly the door was opened wide and at the side of the Emperor----
Agnes.
Drink, aunt--tell about it later--it excites you.
Frau von Drosse.
Yes, my sweet one, yes. (Drinks and leans back exhausted.) You know, Richard, perhaps they are to increase his pay.
Major.
Surely he has enough, darling. Do you wish him to gamble it away?
Frau von Drosse.
Very well, then, let him gamble it away. I find that in general we pay so little heed to him.... I am obliged to think all the time how he acted in a roundabout way in the matter of Foxblaze. He didn't trust himself even to tell it.
Major (laughing).
No, child--but just stop.... Besides the charger he already has two others ... And one of them is Mohammed! Such a big stable--it is only a nuisance to him.... Just consider!
Frau von Drosse.
Ah, it is surely only restlessness. Ah, I wish he were only----
Wilhelm.
(Who had gone out, appears excitedly at the door on the right and calls softly.) Major, Major!
Major (springing up).
What is it?
Wilhelm (in a whisper).
The--the--young master!
Frau von Drosse (turning round suddenly).
What is it about the young master?
Major (rushes out. His voice is heard).
Boy, boy, boy!
(Frau von Drosse breaks out in ecstatic laughter.)
Agnes.
Quietly, aunt! Quietly! Don't excite yourself!