Honor: A Play in Four Acts Part 22

Robert. (_Confused_) What has happened?

Frau Heinecke. You tell him, Father, you're the one that got the check!

Robert. What check?

Heinecke. (_a.s.suming a pose_) My son!--one doesn't often seem what one really is--Such things are deeper--For that reason one must always be respectful--you can never tell what is hidden under tattered clothes.

Anyone can wear a fur-lined coat.

Robert. Will you please explain what--- Heinecke. Explain?--What is there to explain--Don't look at me like that! What are you looking at me that way for. Mother, I won't stand it!

Frau Heinecke. Go on! Go on!

Heinecke. Well, as I said, it's simple enough. The Herr Councillor was here.

Robert. He? Why didn't you call me.

Heinecke. Ah--In the first place because it was not the young Muhlingk--When _your_ friend comes, then you can receive him. The old gentleman is my friend--We've promised to call on each other. And second: because I don't have to ask my son what is right for me to do--Now you know--See?

Frau Heinecke. Oh, Father!

Heinecke. Don't interrupt me when I'm giving my son a little admonition. From now on I'm not going to be fooled with.

Michalski. (_Behind him_) That's the way to talk.

Robert. Was the discussion about Alma?

Heinecke. In the first place the discussion was about you. You have been discharged from his service, because of insubordination. Frankly, I expected more grat.i.tude.

Robert. You?

Heinecke. (_Sternly_) Yes, me! Your honest old father!--It isn't pleasant for me to have my son wander around as a clerk out of a job.

Now you've got till four to settle your accounts or it will go hard with you.

Robert. (_About to break out--controls himself_) Let's talk about Alma!

Did he offer satisfaction?

Heinecke. Certainly, absolute.

Robert. (_Hesitating, as if saying something foolish _) Ah--marriage?

Heinecke. What marriage?

Robert. With his son----

Heinecke. You must be crazy.

Robert. (_Anxiously_) Well, what else?

Heinecke. (_Slyly in his ear_) Forty thousand marks! (_Aloud_) Fine, eh?

Robert. (_With a cry_) Money!

Frau Heinecke. (_Frightened_) Lord! I thought so!

Heinecke. Yes, sir! Here it is, good as gold!

Robert. What! you took it?

Heinecke. (_Wonderingly_) Well?

Robert. He offered you money and you took it! (_Against his will he springs toward his father_)

Michalski. (_Stepping between them_) I advise you to leave the old man alone!

Robert. (_Reeling back without noticing him_) Mother, you took it!

Frau Heinecke. (_Folding her hands_) We're poor folks, my boy! (Robert _sinks down with a strange laugh on the work-stool_. Michalski _and_ Auguste _gather about_ Heinecke _and_ Frau Heinecke; Alma _sits smiling, with folded hands_) G.o.d have mercy on us! There's something wrong with him! (_Puts her hand on his shoulder_) My Boy, take a little advice from your poor old mother. Don't step on your good fortune's toes, for pride dies on the straw.

Robert. Straw wouldn't be the worst. Mother--I shall die on the grave's edge, or in the gutter like a street cur! Only do give the money back--(_Desperately_) See, I am talking perfectly calmly, perfectly sensibly, I'll show you as plain as day what you must do. That fellow has brought us into disgrace--But we are innocent--We needn't be ashamed before anyone. A man can steal honor just the same as he can steal a purse. No one can prevent that!--But if we let someone buy our honor with cold money, then we have no honor at all--and it serves us right--(Heinecke _turns to_ Michalski, _touching his forehead_) Heaven knows I understand it all! I'm not critcizing--Really I'm not.--You are poor and you've always been poor. Such a miserable existence! Nothing but worry for daily bread destroys all judgment and all dignity. And now you let yourselves be blinded by a little money!--but believe me, it will never give you pleasure. Nothing will be left but disgust!

(_Choking_) Ah, the disgust! It chokes----

Frau Heinecke. That kind of talk is enough to turn you cold----

Heinecke. So _that_ is my son!

Robert. And don't imagine that you will lose by taking my advice. Look at me! I have learned a few things, haven't I? I'm healthy, I can be trusted, can't I--The few remaining years you can trust to me, can't you?--Can't you see. I want nothing better than to work for you--I'll make you rich! Rich! you can do what you like with me! I'll be your slave! Your pack-horse--Only give back that money!

Heinecke. That's all very well! But a bird in the hand--Let me tell you!

Michalski. You're right there, Father!

Heinecke. I certainly am right!--You run along and chase your sparrows, my boy. I'll keep the bird I've got.

Michalski. Bravo!

Robert. And you, Mother?--(_She turns away_) You too?--G.o.d, what have I left?--Alma, what about you? I offer you everything. Only help me! (_He takes her hand. She struggles a little. He draws her toward the center_) You've given yourself away. Well, perhaps that's your right.

But you won't _sell_ yourself--you can't sell your love in the public market. Alma, tell them that!

Alma. (_Angrily_) Let me go!

Auguste. He's breaking the kid's arm.

Alma. You've got nothing to say to me any more. (_She breaks away_)

Robert. Little sister!

Alma. And I'm going to the masked ball, too! Ask mother if I ain't.