The Dramatic Works of Gerhart Hauptmann - BestLightNovel.com
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Who's comin' there?
CONSTABLE
I have a summons to serve, I must speak to your daughter.
BERND
My oldest daughter?
CONSTABLE
[_Reads from the doc.u.ment._] To Rose Bernd.
BERND
My daughter hasn't come back from court yet. Can I give her the letter?
CONSTABLE
No; I've got to make a personal search, too. I'll be back at eight in the mornin'.
_AUGUST appears hastily._
BERND
There's August, too.
AUGUST
Isn't Rose here?
BERND
No; an' the sergeant here is askin' after her, too. I thought you an' she was together.
CONSTABLE
I has to make a search into one matter an' also to serve this paper.
AUGUST
Always an' forever this Streckmann business. 'Tis not only the loss of my eye--now we has these everlastin' troubles an' annoyances. It seems, G.o.d forgive me, to come to no end.
CONSTABLE
Good evenin'. To-morrow mornin' at eight!
[_Exit._
AUGUST
Marthel, go into the kitchen a bit of a while.--Father, I've got to speak with you. Go, Marthel; go an' shut the door. But Marthel, didn't you see anythin' o' Rose?
MARTHEL
No, nothin'! [_Surrept.i.tiously she beckons to him with her hand._] I'll tell you something August.
AUGUST
Close the door, la.s.s. I have no time now. [_He himself closes the kitchen door._] Father, you'll have to withdraw your suit.
BERND
Anythin' but that, August. I can't do that!
AUGUST
'Tis not Christian. Yon must withdraw.
BERND
I don't believe that 'tis not Christian!--For why? 'Tis a piece of infamy to cut off a girl's honour that way. 'Tis a crime that needs to be punished.
AUGUST
I hardly know how to begin, father Bernd.... You've been too hasty in this matter....
BERND
My wife who's in her grave demands that of me! An' my honour demands it ... the honour o' my house and o' my la.s.s. An' yours, too, if you come to think.
AUGUST
Father Bernd, father Bernd, how am I to speak to you if you're so set on not makin' peace? You've spoke o' so many kinds of honour. But we're not to seek our honour or glory in this world, but G.o.d's only an' no other!
BERND
'Tis otherwise in this matter. Here woman's honour is G.o.d's too! Or have you any complaint to make against Rose?
AUGUST
I've said to you: I make no complaint!
BERND
Or is your own conscience troublin' you on her account?
AUGUST
