The Dramatic Works of Gerhart Hauptmann - BestLightNovel.com
You’re reading novel The Dramatic Works of Gerhart Hauptmann Volume Ii Part 54 online at BestLightNovel.com. Please use the follow button to get notification about the latest chapter next time when you visit BestLightNovel.com. Use F11 button to read novel in full-screen(PC only). Drop by anytime you want to read free – fast – latest novel. It’s great if you could leave a comment, share your opinion about the new chapters, new novel with others on the internet. We’ll do our best to bring you the finest, latest novel everyday. Enjoy
Iron principles, I must say! Quite exemplary!--Come in! I thought someone was knocking. Or wasn't there? Those confounded ...! You practise a bit of quackery now and then as a diversion, don't you? [_AUGUST shakes his head._] I thought you healed by prayer? Seems to me I heard something like that.
AUGUST
That would be somethin' very different from quackery.
FLAMM
In what respect?
AUGUST
Faith can move mountains. And whatever is asked in the right spirit ...
there the Father is still almighty to-day.
FLAMM
Come in! Surely someone's been knocking again! Come in! Come in! Confound it all! [_Old BERND, very pale himself, urges ROSE to enter. She is pale and resists him. She and FLAMM look steadfastly into each other's eyes for a moment. Thereupon FLAMM continues:_] Very well! Just wait one little minute.
[_He goes into the den as though to search for something._
_The following colloquy of BERND, ROSE and AUGUST is carried on in eager whispers._
BERND
What was Streckmann sayin' to you?
ROSE
Who? But, father ...
BERND
Streckmann was out there, talkin' an' talkin' to her!
ROSE
Well, what should he ha' been talkin' to me about?
BERND
That's what I'm askin' you.
ROSE
An' I know about nothin'.
AUGUST
You ought to have no dealin's with such a scamp!
ROSE
Can I help it if he talks to me?
BERND
You see, you must confess that he's been talkin' to you!
ROSE
An' if he has! I didn't listen to him--
BERND
I'll have to be givin' notice about that feller Streckmann. I'll have to get the help o' the law against him. We was walkin' past there a while ago where they're workin' with that thres.h.i.+n' machine. You hear? They're beginnin' again! [_From afar the humming and rumbling of the machine is heard._] An' then he called out somethin' after us. I couldn't just rightly hear what it was.
AUGUST
If a girl talks as much as two words to that man, her good repute is almost ruined.
ROSE
Well, go an' get yourself a better girl.
FLAMM
[_Re-enters. He has put on a collar and a hunting coat. His demeanour is firm and dignified._]
Good morning, everybody. Now what can I do for you? When is this wedding to take place? What's the trouble? You don't seem to be in agreement.
Well, won't you please say something? Well, my good people, it doesn't look as though you were really ready. Suppose you take my advice: go home and think it all over once more. And when you've quite made up your minds come in again.
AUGUST
[_Dictatorially._] The matter'll be adjusted now.
FLAMM
I have surely nothing against it, Keil. [_About to make the necessary notes with a pencil._] When is the ceremony to take place?
BERND
As soon as ever it's possible, we was thinkin'.
AUGUST
Yes; in four or five weeks if it could be done.
FLAMM
