The Dramatic Works of Gerhart Hauptmann Volume I Part 157

EDE

[_Softly._] He might send out a warrant after him.

WEHRHAHN

Doesn't any one know where Constable Schulze is?--Has any one interviewed Mrs. Fielitz? Or hasn't she returned from Berlin yet?--I want somebody to go to Councillor Reinberg.--[_To GLASENAPP, who is just returning._] Mr.

Schmarowski, Mrs. Fielitz's son-in-law, is there submitting his building-plans. The news should be broken to him gently.

EDE

[_Softly to BOXER and LANGHEINRICH._] Yes, gently, so he don't stumble over the church steeple.

[_DR. BOXER and LANGHEINRICH restrain their laughter with difficulty._]

WEHRHAHN

[_Observing this._] Does that strike you as very amusing?--I don't know what other reason you should have to laugh, Langheinrich. When people are hardworking and ambitious and a fright like this comes to them--a visitation from G.o.d--we might properly say: G.o.d protect us from such things! I see nothing to laugh at.--Did you have the impression ... did the boy seem to you ... I mean, in reference to this affair--as if things were not quite right with him?

EDE

[_Softly to BOXER and LANGHEINRICH._] We knows where he ain't quite right!

WEHRHAHN

Did he arouse your suspicion? Yes or no? Or did the thought actually occur to you that he might have started the fire?

DR. BOXER

No. I have become too much of a stranger here. The conditions seem to overwhelm me.

WEHRHAHN

In what respect?

DR. BOXER

[_With a.s.sumed seriousness._] I have returned from a very narrow life.

Out on the ocean one becomes accustomed to a certain narrowness of outlook. And so, as I said, I hardly feel capable of any comment for the present and must ask for the necessary consideration.

WEHRHAHN

We're not discussing conditions. The thing that lies before us is a concrete case. For instance: whether the boy tootled or not--what has that to do with narrowness or breadth of outlook?

DR. BOXER

Quite right. I haven't been able to get a general view yet. I can't so suddenly find my way again. I feel, naturally, the importance, the seriousness of the conditions here at home and that makes me feel hesitant.

WEHRHAHN

He did tootle this way, through his hand, didn't he? You heard that too, didn't you, Langheinrich?

LANGHEINRICH

Sure, he did it right out loud.

EDE

When a feller tootles so tootin'ly that you c'n rightly say he's tootlin', then you c'n hear that there tootlin' tootin'ly.

WEHRHAHN

[_To LANGHEINRICH._] Did you observe anything else that aroused your suspicions? I mean, while you were extinguis.h.i.+ng the fire? Were there any indications that pointed in another direction, or that might, at least, point in another direction? [_LANGHEINRICH thinks for a moment, then shakes his head._] You didn't get inside of the house, did you?

LANGHEINRICH

I just barely glanced into the room. Then the ceiling came cras.h.i.+n' down.

A hair's breadth sooner an' I'd ha' been smothered.

WEHRHAHN

The fire was started from without. Constable Tschache is quite right in that supposition. Probably from behind where the goatshed is. That would also be in agreement with your evidence, Mrs. Schulze! You saw him creep around the house. Right above the goatshed there is a window from which, as a rule, straw was sticking out. I myself made that observation. And this window gives on Rauchhaupt's garden. This window tempted the boy. It tempted him because he had it daily before his eyes. So he simply climbed on the roof of the shed and from there reached the sky-light. Very pleasant neighbour to have--I must say!--Who's that crossing the street and howling so?

GLASENAPP

[_Looks through the window._] Shoemaker Fielitz and his wife.

WEHRHAHN

What? Is that Mrs. Fielitz who comes howling so? It's enough to melt the heart of a stone.

_MRS. FIELITZ, whose loud, convulsive weeping has been audible before she appeared, enters, leaning upon the s.e.xTON and followed by HER HUSBAND, who carries a large, new clock carefully in his arms.

FIELITZ and HIS WIFE are both in their Sunday clothes._

WEHRHAHN

Well, heavens and earth, Mrs. Fielitz! Trust in the Lord! Our trust in the Lord--that's the main thing! This isn't a killing matter.--Get a drink of brandy, Nickel! Go over and ask my wife for it. Mrs. Fielitz has got to be brought to her senses first.--Do me a favour, Mrs. Fielitz, and stop your outburst of tears. I can feel for you, when it comes to that.

Quite a severe blow of fate. Have any valuables been destroyed? [_MRS.

FIELITZ weeps more violently._] Mrs. Fielitz! Mrs. Fielitz! Listen to me!

Please listen to what I say to you! Kindly don't lose your reason! D'you understand? Don't lose your head! You're generally a sensible woman.--Well, if you won't, you won't.--[_NICKEL, who has been gone for a moment, returns with a brandy bottle and a small gla.s.s._]--Give her the brandy; quick,--I'll address myself to you, Fielitz. I see that you're quite collected, at least. That's the way a man ought to be, you understand. In any situation--be that what it may. So, Fielitz, you give me some information! I'll put the same question to you first: Have any valuables been destroyed?

FIELITZ

[_He is only partially successful in restraining the convulsive sobs that attack him while he speaks._] Yes. Six bills ... banknotes!

WEHRHAHN

Well, I'll be blessed! Is that true? And, of course, you don't even know the numbers! My gracious, but you're careless people! One ought to think of such things! But that does no good now. Fielitz, do you hear me! One ought to take some thought.--Now he's beginning to howl too! Do you understand me? The place for ready money is a bank! And anyhow--the whole business! One doesn't leave one's property alone like that! One shouldn't leave it quite unprotected, especially with such a crowd in the neighbourhood as we have here!