Volume 9 / Act 3 — SCENE VI
Reading edition
ROBERT, alone; later, GODFREY; finally MÖLLER with two workingmen.
ROBERT (looks for some time after KATHARINE; then walks up and down).
I wonder whether she will come? Whether she will leave her father for my sake?
[Stops.]
I shall go into the world as a hunter. I am young, strong, and understand my profession thoroughly—why should I not succeed?
[Losing himself in thought.]
And then—when I come home from the forest—healthily tired out by my work in the open air—and she has been watching for me—and comes to meet me—and takes my gun, so as to have something to carry—and hangs it on her shoulder—and my hunter's house standing like that one yonder—the trees rustling—and I holding her in my arms, exclaiming jubilantly: Only that happiness is happiness which one owes to one's own efforts!—And then—
[The report of a gun is heard, and startles him.]
GODFREY (still behind the scenes, groaning).
Scoundrel!
ROBERT.
What is that?
GODFREY (staggers upon the scene; ROBERT hurries toward him and catches him just as he is falling down).
I—am—done for—
ROBERT.
Godfrey! For heaven's sake! Has some one shot you? Hallo! Is nobody near? Hallo! Help!
MÖLLER (behind the scenes).
Hurry up, men! Over there! The shouting comes from the path!
ROBERT.
People are coming. Come here, come here! Help!
MÖLLER (as before).
That is Mr. Robert's voice.
ROBERT.
If help is to be of any avail here, it must come quickly.
[Opens GODFREY'S coat and vest.]
MÖLLER.
To be sure, it is you, Mr. Stein.
[Enters with two workingmen.]
But—
ROBERT.
Möller, is that you? Look here what has happened!—Are you still alive, Godfrey?
GODFREY.
Still—but—
MÖLLER (coming up).
Godfrey! Merciful heavens!
ROBERT.
Shot from ambush. The bullet entered at the back.
MÖLLER.
Godfrey, speak! Who did it?
GODFREY.
He had—the rifle—with the yellow strap—
ROBERT.
Andrew's rifle?
GODFREY.
He—threatened—to shoot me—
ROBERT.
It is not possible.
MÖLLER.
Was it Andrew, Godfrey?
GODFREY.
Andrew—yes—
MÖLLER.
He is dying.
[Pause.]
Take him up, men. And you, Mr. Stein—this here is a nest of murderers. Come along. There are others about here lying in ambush. Just now we met Weiler with a gun—that vicious fellow. He was out spying, that's clear. It is a regular hunt. Come along! But, for heaven's sake, why will you not—
ROBERT.
Never mind! Go ahead.
MÖLLER.
But what do you intend to do? And your father—if I leave you alone in danger—if I do not bring you home with me! How will he ever believe me, that I tried to persuade you?
ROBERT.
Why, you have witnesses here with you. When I say a thing I mean it—I am going to stay here.
[Walks up and down in agitation.]
MÖLLER.
Well, come along, men. You have heard it.
[While going out.]
Good heavens! How will it all end?
[The men have lifted up the corpse; exeunt with MÖLLER.]