Volume 9 / Act 2 — SCENE V

MÖLLER alone; later, GODFREY.

MÖLLER.

Even if the marriage with Miss Löhlein should not come to pass, at least Stein and Son have asserted themselves. It used to turn my stomach to see how he always was the first to make up. This time I am satisfied with my chief, and will not mind his rebuke. But who is making that noise out there? [At the door.] It is lucky that they went through the rooms. It is Godfrey. And in what condition! What sort of man do you call that? [_Leads in _GODFREY, who is intoxicated.]

GODFREY (while still behind the scenes).

Where is Stein? Hey there, fellow! Stein, I say! Is that you, Möller?

MÖLLER (with a patronizing air).

There can be no doubt that it is you. What do you want here?

GODFREY (while MÖLLER pushes him down on a chair).

Thank him, why, I must thank him. Fetch Stein. Thank him, for that's the fashion.

MÖLLER.

In this condition?

GODFREY (while MÖLLER is obliged to hold him forcibly down on the chair).

Condition? What's my condition to you? That I want to express my thanks is condition enough. Let me alone with my condition. Is he in? Hey?

MÖLLER.

Nobody is in there. Be glad that nobody is in. You are past all help. You have made up your mind not to get along. Those who have your interest at heart can never do anything for your advantage without your doing something that counteracts their efforts a hundredfold, so that everything is spoiled. My master already repents having given you the post, and now you at once give him an opportunity—

GODFREY.

You stupid fellow, you. With your patronizing air, hang it! As if you did not want to make a break between Stein and Ulrich because of that Löhlein girl. I should know that, even if I were as stupid as that confounded, patronizing fellow of a Möller. That's all I have to say. And what of it, that I am forester for a day? For it won't be two days before those two cronies are again one heart and one soul; after that it's all over with my forester's job. You think you are a decent fellow, because you are not thirsty. It will last one day—for one day I shall be sp—spite-forester—and that day I have turned to account, my dear fellow—with Ulrich's Andrew—turned to account, my dear fellow. Come, my dear fellow, for I am jolly, my dear fellow. You patronizing fellow of a Möller. [Embrace him.]

MÖLLER (ashamed and very much embarrassed, trying to keep him off).

For heaven's sake, what are you thinking of? If any one should see this! Shame on you!

[Making an effort to recover his dignity.]

You have hatched a scheme with Ulrich's Andrew, have you?

GODFREY.

Scheme, scheme! I have had a talk with him, do you know? Because of yesterday, you know? and because of my grudge against his old man, you know? You know nothing, you know? When he hears it he'll bite his white beard with rage, the old man will.

MÖLLER.

But what the deuce could you have put into Andrew's head?

GODFREY.

What? Nothing. You'll learn it soon enough. Hey? Thirst, thirst—that is my wail, that is my chronic ill-health, my misery; that is the cause of my gout; that will kill me while I am still young. Where is Stein?

MÖLLER.

Now come along to my room and drink a cup of black coffee, so that you may recover your senses. Then I must go to the blast-furnace. I'll take you along as far as the mill in the dell, and then you go the rest of the way to your home. One has to tie your hands, if you are not to drive away your good fortune.

GODFREY (while MÖLLER is leading him off).

Where is he? Hey, there! Where is he? Stein!