and more strongly._] Nellie! Look at me; let those things be. Let me be your consolation, I needn’t talk to you about your sister. [_He embraces her more firmly. Passionately and feelingly._] Oh, if she were what you are!… But as it is … tell me: what can she be to me? Did you ever hear of a man, Nellie, of a cultured man whose wife–[_he almost whispers_]–is a prey to such an unhappy passion? One is afraid to utter it aloud: a woman–and–brandy … Now, do you think I am any happier?… Think of my little Freddie! Well, am I, when all’s said, any better off than you are?… [_With increasing passion._] And so, you see, fate has done us one kindness anyhow. It has brought us together. And we belong together. Our equal sorrows have predestined us to be friends. Isn’t it so, Nellie?
[_He puts his arms wholly around her. She permits it but with an expression which shows that she forces herself to mere endurance. She has grown quite silent and seems, with quivering tension of soul, to be awaiting some certainty, some consummation that is inevitably approaching._
HOFFMANN
[_Tenderly._] You should consent to my plan; you should leave this house and live with us. The baby that is coming needs a mother. Come and be a mother to it; otherwise–[_passionately moved and sentimentally_]–it will have no mother. And then: bring a little, oh, only a very little brightness into my life! Do that! Oh, do that!
[_He is about to lean his head upon her breast. She jumps up, indignant. In her expression are revealed contempt, surprise, loathing and hatred._
HELEN
Oh, but you are, you are … Now I know you thoroughly! Oh, I’ve felt it dimly before. But now I am certain.
HOFFMANN
[_Surprised, put out of countenance._] What? Helen … you’re unique–really.
HELEN
Now I know that you’re not by one hair’s breadth better … indeed, you’re much worse–the worst of them all here!
HOFFMANN
[_Arises. With assumed coldness._] D’you know, your behaviour to-day is really quite peculiar.
HELEN
[_Approaches him._] You have just one end in view. [_Almost whispering._] But you have very different weapons from father and from my stepmother, or from my excellent betrothed–oh, quite different. They are all lambs, all of them, compared to you. Now, now, suddenly, that has become clear as day to me.
HOFFMANN
[_With hypocritical indignation._] Helen, you seem really not to be in your right mind; you’re, suffering under a delusion…. [_He interrupts himself and strikes his forehead._] Good Lord, of course! I see it all. You have … it’s very early in the day, to be sure, but I’d wager … Helen! Have you been talking to Alfred Loth this morning?
HELEN
And why should I not have been talking to him? He is the kind of man before whom we should all be hiding in shame if things went by rights.
HOFFMANN
So I was right!… That’s it … Aha … well, to be sure … then I have no further cause for surprise. So he actually used the opportunity to go for his benefactor a bit. Of course, one should really be prepared for things of that kind.
HELEN
Do you know, I think that is really caddish.
HOFFMANN
I’m inclined to think so myself.
HELEN
He didn’t breathe one syllable, not one, about you.
HOFFMANN
[_Slurring HELEN’S argument._] If things have reached that pass, then it is really my duty, my duty, I say, as a relative toward an inexperienced young girl like you …
HELEN
Inexperienced girl! What is the use of this pretence?
HOFFMANN
[_Enraged._] Loth came into this house on my responsibility. Now I want you to know that he is, to put it mildly, an exceedingly dangerous fanatic–this Mr. Loth.
HELEN
To hear you saying that of Mr. Loth strikes me as so absurd, so laughably absurd!
HOFFMANN
And he is a fanatic, furthermore, who has the gift of muddling the heads not only of women, but even of sensible people,
HELEN
Well, now, you see, that again strikes me as so absurd. I only exchanged a few words with Mr. Loth and ever since I feel a clearness about things that does me so much good …
HOFFMANN
[_In a rebukeful tone._] What I tell you is by no means absurd!
HELEN
One has to have a sense for the absurd, and that’s what you haven’t.
HOFFMANN
[_In the same manner._] That isn’t what we’re discussing. I assure you once more that what I tell you is not at all absurd, but something that I must ask you to take as actually true … I have my own experience to guide me. Notions like that befog one’s mind; one rants of universal brotherhood, of liberty and equality and, of course, transcends every convention and every moral law…. In those old days, for the sake of this very nonsense, we were ready to walk over the bodies of our parents to gain our ends … Heaven knows it. And he, I tell you, would be prepared, in a given case, to do the same thing to-day.
HELEN
And how many parents, do you suppose, walk year in and out over the bodies of their children without anybody’s …
HOFFMANN
[_Interrupting her._] That is _nonsense_! Why, that’s the end of all…. I tell you to take care, in every … I tell you emphatically, in _every_ respect. You won’t find a trace of moral scrupulousness in that quarter.
HELEN
Oh, dear, how absurd that sounds again. I tell you, when once you begin to take notice of things like that … it’s awfully interesting.
HOFFMANN
You may say what you please. I have warned you. Only I will tell you quite in confidence: at the time of that incident I very nearly got into the same damnable mess myself.
HELEN
But if he’s such a dangerous man, why were you sincerely delighted yesterday when he …
HOFFMANN
Good Lord, I knew him when I was young. And how do you know that I didn’t have very definite reasons for …
HELEN
Reasons? Of what kind?
HOFFMANN
Never mind.–Though, if he came; to-day, and if I knew what I do know to-day–
HELEN
What is it that you know? I’ve told you already that he didn’t utter one word about you.
HOFFMANN
Well, you may depend on it that if that had been the case, I would have thought it all over very carefully, and would probably have taken good care not to keep him here. Loth is now and always will be a man whose acquaintance compromises you. The authorities have an eye on him.
HELEN
Why? Has he committed a crime?
HOFFMANN
The less said about it the better. Just let this assurance be sufficient for you: to go about the world to-day, entertaining his opinions, is far worse and, above all, far more dangerous than stealing.
HELEN
I will remember.–But now–listen! After all your talk about Mr. Loth, you needn’t ask me any more what I think of you.–Do you hear?
HOFFMANN
[_With cold cynicism._] Do you suppose that I’m so greatly concerned to know that? [_He presses the electric button._] And, anyhow, I hear him coming in.
LOTH _enters._
HOFFMANN
Hallo! Did you sleep well, old man?
LOTH
Well, but not long. Tell me this, though: I saw a gentleman leaving the house a while ago.
HOFFMANN
Probably the doctor. He was here a while ago. I told you about him, didn’t I?–this queer mixture of hardness and sentimentality.
_HELEN gives instructions to EDWARD, who has just entered. He leaves and returns shortly, serving tea and coffee._
LOTH
This mixture, as you call him, happened to resemble an old friend of my student days most remarkably. In fact, I could have taken my oath that it was a certain–Schimmelpfennig.
HOFFMANN
[_Sitting down at the breakfast table._] That’s quite right–Schimmelpfennig.
LOTH
Quite right? You mean?
HOFFMANN
That his name is really Schimmelpfennig.
LOTH
Who? The doctor here?
HOFFMANN
Yes, certainly, the doctor.
LOTH
Now that is really strange enough. Then of course, it’s he?
HOFFMANN
Well, you see, beautiful souls find each other on sea and shore. You’ll pardon me, won’t you, if I begin? We were just about to sit down to breakfast. Do take a seat yourself. You haven’t had breakfast anywhere else, have you?
LOTH
No.
HOFFMANN
Very well. Then sit down. [_Remaining seated himself he draws out a chair for LOTH hereupon addressing EDWARD, who enters with tea and coffee._] Ah, by the way, is Mrs. Krause coming down?
EDWARD
The madame and Mrs. Spiller are taking their breakfast upstairs.
HOFFMANN
Why, that has never before …
HELEN
[_Pushing the dishes to rights._] Never mind. There’s a reason.
HOFFMANN
Is that so?… Loth, help yourself!… Egg? Tea?
LOTH
I wonder if I could have a glass of milk?
HOFFMANN
With all the pleasure in the world.
HELEN
Edward, tell Miele to get some fresh milk.
HOFFMANN
[_Peeling an egg._] Milk–brrr! Horrible! [_Helping himself to salt and pepper._] By the way, Loth, what brings you into these parts? Up to now I’ve forgotten to ask you.
LOTH
[_Spreading butter on a roll._] I would like to study the local conditions.
HOFFMANN
[_Looking up sharply._] That so?… What kind of conditions?
LOTH
To be precise: I want to study the condition of your miners.
HOFFMANN
Ah! In general that condition is a very excellent one, surely.
LOTH
Do you think so?–That would be a very pleasant fact … Before I forget, however. You can be of some service to me in the matter. You will deserve very well of political economy, if you …
HOFFMANN
I? How exactly?
LOTH
Well, you have the sole agency for the local mines?
HOFFMANN
Yes; and what of it?
LOTH
It will be very easy for you, in that case, to obtain permission for me to inspect the mines. That is to say: I would like to go down into them daily for at least a month, in order that I may gain a fairly accurate notion of the management.
HOFFMANN
[_Carelessly._] And then, I suppose, you will describe what you’ve seen down there?
LOTH
Yes, my work is to be primarily descriptive.
HOFFMANN
I’m awfully sorry, but I’ve nothing to do with that side of things. So you just want to write about the miners, eh?
LOTH
That question shows how little of an economist you are.
HOFFMANN
[_Whose vanity is stung._] I beg your pardon! I hope you don’t think … Why? I don’t see why that isn’t a legitimate question?… And, anyhow: it wouldn’t be surprising. One can’t know everything.
LOTH
Oh, calm yourself. The matter stands simply thus: if I am to study the situation of the miners in this district, it is of course unavoidably necessary that I touch upon all the factors that condition their situation.
HOFFMANN
Writings of that kind are sometimes full of frightful exaggerations.
LOTH
That is a fault which I hope to guard against.
HOFFMANN
That will be very praiseworthy. [_He has several times already cast brief and searching glances at HELEN, who hangs with naive devoutness upon LOTH’S lips. He does so again now and continues._] I say … it’s just simply too queer for anything–how things will suddenly pop into a man’s mind. I wonder how things like that are brought about in the brain?
LOTH
What is it that has occurred to you so suddenly?
HOFFMANN
It’s about you.–I thought of your be–… No, maybe it’s tactless to speak of your heart’s secrets in the presence of a young lady.
HELEN
Perhaps it would be better for me to….
LOTH
Please stay. Miss Krause! By all means stay, at least as far as I’m concerned. I’ve seen for some time what he’s aiming at. There’s nothing in the least dangerous about it. [_To HOFFMANN._] You’re thinking of my betrothal, eh?
HOFFMANN
Since you mention it yourself, yes. I was, as a matter of fact, thinking of your betrothal to Anna Faber.
LOTH
That was broken off, naturally, when I was sent to prison.
HOFFMANN
That wasn’t very nice of your….
LOTH
It was, at least, honest in her! The letter in which she broke with me showed her true face. Had she shown that before she would have spared herself and me, too, a great deal.
HOFFMANN
And since that time your affections haven’t taken root anywhere?
LOTH
No.
HOFFMANN
_Of_ course! I suppose you’ve capitulated along the whole line–forsworn marriage as well as drink, eh? Ah, well, _à chacun son goût_.
LOTH
It’s not my taste that decides in this matter, but perhaps my fate. I told you once before, I believe, that I have made no renunciation in regard to marriage. What I fear is this, that I won’t find a woman who is suitable for me,
HOFFMAN
That’s a big order, Loth!
LOTH
I’m quite serious, though. It may be that one grows too critical as the years go on and possesses too little healthy instinct. And I consider instinct the best guarantee of a suitable choice.
HOFFMANN
[_Frivolously._] Oh, it’ll be found again some day–[_laughing_]–the necessary instinct, I mean.
LOTH
And, after all, what have I to offer a woman? I doubt more and more whether I ought to expect any woman to content herself with that small part of my personality which does not belong to my life’s work. Then, too, I’m afraid of the cares which a family brings.
HOFFMANN
Wh-at? The cares of a married man? Haven’t you a head, and arms, eh?
LOTH
Obviously. But, as I’ve tried to tell you, my productive power belongs, for the greater part, to my life’s work and will always belong to it. Hence it is no longer mine. Then, too, there would be peculiar difficulties …
HOFFMANN
Listen! Hasn’t some one been sounding a gong?
LOTH
You consider all I’ve said mere phrase-making?
HOFFMANN
Honestly, it does sound a little hollow. After all, other people are not necessarily savages, even if they are married. But some men act as though they had a monopoly of all the good deeds that are to be done in the world.
LOTH
[_With some heat._] Not at all! I’m not thinking of such a thing. If you hadn’t abandoned your life’s work, your happy material situation would be of the greatest assistance …
HOFFMANN
[_Ironically._] So that would be one of your demands, too?
LOTH
Demands? How? What?
HOFFMANN
I mean that, in marrying, you would have an eye on money.
LOTH
Unquestionably.
HOFFMANN
And then–if I know you at all–there’s quite a list of demands still to come.
LOTH
So there is. The woman, for instance, must have physical and mental health. That’s a _conditio sine qua non_.
HOFFMANN
[_Laughing._] Better and better! I suppose then that a previous medical examination of the lady would be necessary.
LOTH
[_Quite seriously_.] You must remember that I make demands upon myself too.
HOFFMANN
[_More and more amused._] I know, I know! I remember your going through all the literature of love once in order to determine quite conscientiously whether that which you felt at that time for a certain lady was really the tender passion. So, let’s hear a few more of your demands.
LOTH
My wife, for instance, would have to practice renunciation.
HELEN
If … if … Ah, I don’t know whether it’s right to … but I merely wanted to say that women, as a rule, are accustomed to renounce.
LOTH
For heaven’s sake! You understand me quite wrongly. I did not mean renunciation in the vulgar sense. I would demand renunciation only in so far, or, rather, I would simply ask my wife to resign voluntarily and gladly that part of myself which belongs to my chosen work. No, no, in regard to every thing else, it is my wife who is to make demands–to demand all that her sex has forfeited in the course of thousands of years.
HOFFMANN
Oho, oho! Emancipation of woman! Really, that sudden turn was admirable–now you are in the right channel. Fred Loth, or the agitator in a vest-pocket edition. How would you formulate your demands in this respect, or rather: to what degree would yam wife have to be emancipated?–It really amuses me to hear you talk! Would she have to smoke cigars? Wear breeches?
LOTH
Hardly that. I would want her, to be sure, to have risen above certain social conventions. I should not want her, for instance, to hesitate, if she felt genuine love for me, to be the first to make the avowal.
HOFFMANN
[_Has finished his breakfast. He jumps up in half-humorous, half-serious indignation._] Do you know? That … that is a really _shameless_ demand. And I prophesy, too, that you’ll go about with it unfulfilled to your very end–unless you prefer to drop it first.
HELEN
[_Mastering her deep emotion with difficulty._] If you gentlemen will excuse me now–the household … You know [_to HOFFMANN_] that mama is upstairs and so …
HOFFMANN
Don’t let us keep you.
_HELEN bows and withdraws._
HOFFMANN
[_Holding a match case in his hand and walking over to the cigar-box which stands on the table._] There’s no doubt … you do get a man excited … it’s almost uncanny. [_He takes a cigar from the box and sits down on the sofa in the foreground, left. He cuts off the end of his cigar, and, during what follows, he holds the cigar in his left, the severed end between the fingers of his right hand._] In spite of all that … it does amuse me. And then, you don’t know how good it feels to pass a few days in the country this way, away from all business matters. If only to-day this confounded … how late is it anyhow? Unfortunately I have to go into town to a dinner to-day. It couldn’t be helped: I had to give this banquet. What are you going to do as a business man? Tit for tat. The mine officials are used to that sort of thing.–Well, I’ve got time enough to smoke another cigar–quite in peace, too.
[_He carries the cigar end to a cuspidor, sits down on the sofa again and lights his cigar._]
LOTH
[_Stands at the table and turns the leaves of a deluxe volume._] “The Adventures of Count Sandor.”
HOFFMANN
You’ll find that trash among all the farmers in the neighbourhood.
LOTH
[_Still turning the leaves._] How old is your sister-in-law?
HOFFMANN
She was twenty-one last August.
LOTH
Is she in delicate health?
HOFFMANN
Don’t know. I hardly think so, though. Does she make that impression on you?
LOTH
She really looks rather worried than ill.
HOFFMANN
Well, if you consider all the miseries with her step-mother …
LOTH
She seems to be rather excitable, too.
HOFFMANN
In such an environment … I should like to see any one who wouldn’t become excitable.
LOTH
She seems to possess a good deal of energy.
HOFFMANN
Stubbornness.
LOTH
Deep feeling, too?
HOFFMANN
Too much at times …
LOTH
But if the conditions here are so unfortunate for her, why doesn’t your sister-in-law live with _your_ family?
HOFFMANN
You’d better ask her that! I’ve often enough made her the offer. Women have these fancies, that’s all. [_Holding the cigar in his mouth, HOFFMANN takes out a note-book and adds a fete items._] You’ll forgive me, won’t you, if I have to leave you alone after a while?
LOTH
Assuredly.
HOFFMANN
How long do you think of stay–
LOTH
I mean to look for a lodging very soon. Where does Schimmelpfennig live? The best thing would be to go to see him. He would _probably_ be able to secure one for me. I hope that I’ll soon find a suitable place, otherwise I’ll spend the night at the inn next door.
HOFFMANN
Why should you? Of course you’ll stay with us till morning, at least. To be sure, I’m only a guest in this house myself, otherwise I’d naturally ask you to … you understand?
LOTH
Perfectly.
HOFFMANN
But do tell me, were you really quite serious when you said …
LOTH
That I would spend the night at an inn…?
HOFFMANN
Nonsense … Of course not!… I mean what you mentioned a while ago–that business about your ridiculous descriptive essay?
LOTH
Why not?
HOFFMANN
I must confess that I thought you were jesting. [_He gets up and speaks confidentially and half-humorously._] Now, you don’t mean to say you’re really capable of undermining the ground here where a friend of yours has been fortunate enough to get a firm foothold?
LOTH
You may take my word for it, Hoffmann; I had no idea that you were here. If I had known that …
HOFFMANN
[_Jumps up, delighted._] Very well, then; very well. If that’s the way things are. And I assure you I’m more than glad that I was not mistaken in you. So now you do know that I am here. It goes without saying that I’ll make up to you all your travelling expenses and all extras. No, you needn’t be so excessively delicate. It’s simply my duty as a friend … Now I recognise my excellent old friend again. But I tell you: for a time I had very serious suspicions of you … Now you ought to know this, however. Frankly, I’m not as bad as I sometimes pretend to be, not by any means. I have always honoured you, you and your sincere, single-minded efforts. And I’m the last man to fail to attach weight to certain demands of the exploited, oppressed masses, demands which are, most unfortunately, only too well justified.–Oh, you may smile. I’ll go further and confess that there is just one party in parliament that has any true ideals, and that’s the party to which you belong! Only–as I said before–we must go slowly, slowly!–not try to rush things through. Everything is coming, surely coming about exactly as it ought to. Only patience! Patience …
LOTH
One must have patience. That is certain. But one isn’t justified on that account in folding one’s hands in idleness.
HOFFMANN
Exactly my opinion.–As a matter of fact my thoughts have oftener been in accord with you than my words. It’s a bad habit of mine, I admit, I fell into it in intercourse with people to whom I didn’t always want to show my hand…. Take the question, of woman, for instance … You expressed a good many things quite strikingly. [_He has, in the meantime, approached the telephone, taken up the receiver and now speaks alternately into the telephone and to LOTH._] My little sister-in-law, by the way, was all ear … [_Into the telephone._] Frank! I want the carriage in ten minutes … [_To LOTH._] You made an impression on her … [_Into the telephone._] What–oh, nonsense!–well, that beats everything … Then hitch up the black horses at once … [_To LOTH._] And why shouldn’t you?… [_Into the telephone._] Well, upon my…! To the milliner, you say? The madame? The ma–! Well, very well, then. But at once! Oh, very well! Yes! What’s the–! [_He presses the button of the servants’ bell. To LOTH._] You just wait. Give me a chance to heap up the necessary mountain of shekels, and maybe you’ll see something happen … [_EDWARD has entered._] Edward, my leggings, my walking-coat! [_EDWARD withdraws_.] Maybe something will happen then that you fellows wouldn’t believe of me now … If, at the end of two or three days–you must stay with us so long by all means–I’d consider it a real insult if you didn’t–[_he slips out of his dressing-gown_]–if, at the end of two or three days, you’re ready to go. I’ll drive you over to the train.
_EDWARD enters carrying gaiters and walking-coat._
HOFFMANN
[_Permitting himself to be helped on with the coat._] So-o! [_Sitting down on a chair._] Now the boots. [_After he has pulled on one of them._] There’s number one!
LOTH
Perhaps you didn’t quite understand me after all.
HOFFMANN
Surely, that’s quite possible. A fellow gets out of touch with things. Nothing but musty business affairs. Edward, hasn’t the mail come yet? Wait a minute!–Do go up into my room. You’ll find a document in a blue cover on the left side of my desk. Get that and put it into the carriage.
_EDWARD goes through the door at the right, reappears through the middle-door and then withdraws._
LOTH
I simply meant that you hadn’t understood me in one particular respect.
HOFFMANN
[_Worrying his foot into the other shoe._] Ouch! There! [_He rises and stamps his feet._] There we are. Nothing is more disagreeable than tight shoes … What were you saying just now?
LOTH
You were speaking of my departure …
HOFFMANN
Well?
LOTH
But I thought I had explained that I must stay here for a specific purpose.
HOFFMANN
[_In extreme consternation and thoroughly indignant at once._] Look here!… That comes near being caddish!–Don’t you know what you owe me as your friend?
LOTH
Not, I hope, the betrayal of my cause!
HOFFMANN
[_Beside himself._] Well then–in that case–I haven’t the slightest motive for treating you as a friend. And so I tell you that I consider your appearance and demeanour here–to put it mildly–incredibly impudent.
LOTH
[_Quite calmly._] Perhaps you’ll explain what gives you the right to use such epithets …
HOFFMANN
Yon want an explanation of that? That is going to an extreme! Not to feel a thing like that it’s necessary to have a rhinoceros-hide instead of skin on one’s back! You come here, enjoy my hospitality, thresh out a few of your thread-bare phrases, turn my sister-in-law’s head, go on about old friendship and other pleasant things, and then you tell me quite coolly: you’re going to write a descriptive pamphlet about the local conditions. Why, what do you take me to be, anyhow? D’you suppose I don’t know that these so-called essays are merely shameless libels?… You want to write a denunciation like that, and about our coal district, of all places! Are you so blind that you can’t see whom such a rag would harm most keenly? Only me, of course! I tell you, the trade that you demagogues drive ought to be more firmly stamped out than has been done up to now! What is it you do? You make the miners discontented, presumptuous; you stir them up, embitter them, make them rebellious, disobedient, wretched! Then you delude them with promises of mountains of gold, and, in the meantime, grab out of their pockets the few pennies that keep them from starving!
LOTH
Do you consider yourself unmasked now?
HOFFMANN
[_Brutally._] Oh, pshaw! You ridiculous, pompous wind-bag! What do you suppose I care about being unmasked by you?–Go to work! Leave off this silly drivelling!–Do something! Get ahead! I don’t need to sponge on any one for two-hundred marks!
[_He rushes out through the middle door._
_For several moments LOTH looks calmly after him. Then, no less calmly, he draws a card case out of his inner pocket, takes a slip of paper therefrom–HOFFMANN’S cheque–and tears it through several times. Then he drops the scraps slowly into the coal-bin. Hereupon he takes his hat and cane and turns to go. At this moment HELEN appears on the threshold of the conservatory._
HELEN
[_Softly._] Mr. Loth!
LOTH
[_Quivers and turns._] Ah, it is you.–Well, then I can at least say farewell to _you_.
HELEN
[_In spite of herself._] Did you feel the need of doing that?
LOTH
Yes! I did feel it, indeed. Probably, if you were in there, you heard what has taken place here, and–in that case….
HELEN
I heard everything.
LOTH
In that case it won’t astonish you to see me this house with so little ceremony.
HELEN
No-o! I do understand–! But I should like you to feel less harshly toward my brother-in-law. He always repents very quickly. I have often….
LOTH
Quite possibly. But for that very reason what he has said just now probably expresses his true opinion of me.–In fact, it is undoubtedly his real opinion.
HELEN
Do you seriously believe that?
LOTH
Oh, yes, quite seriously. And so…. [_He walks toward her and takes her hand._] I hope that life will be kind to you. [_He turns but at once stops again._] I don’t know…! or rather:–[_he looks calmly and directly into HELEN’S face_]–I do know, I know–at this moment the knowledge becomes clear–that it is not so easy for me to go away from here … and … yes … and … well, yes…!
HELEN
But if I begged you–begged you truly–from my heart … to stay a little longer–
LOTH
So you do not share Hoffmann’s opinion?
HELEN
No!–and that–that is just what I wanted to be sure–quite sure to tell you, before … before–you–went.
LOTH
[_Grasps her hand once more._] It helps me _much_ to hear you say that.
HELEN
[_Struggling with herself. Her excitement mounts rapidly and to the point of unconsciousness. She stammers out half-chokingly._] And more, oh, more I wanted to … to tell you … that I esteem and … and … honour you as … I’ve done no … man before … that I trust … you … that I’m ready to … to prove that … that I feel toward you …
[_She sinks, swooning into his arms._
LOTH
Helen!
THE CURTAIN DROPS QUICKLY
THE FOURTH ACT
_The farmyard, as in the second act. Time: a quarter of an hour after HELEN’S avowal._
_MARIE and GOLISCH the cowherd drag a wooden chest down the stairs that lead to the loft. LOTH comes from the house. He is dressed for travelling and goes slowly and thoughtfully diagonally across the yard. Before he turns into the path that leads to the inn, he comes upon HOFFMANN, who is hurrying toward him through the gateway._
HOFFMANN
[_In top hat and kid gloves._] Don’t be angry with me. [_He obstructs LOTH’S way and grasps both of his hands._] I take it all back herewith … Mention any reparation you demand … I am ready to give you any!… I’m most truly, most sincerely sorry.
LOTH
That helps neither of us very much.
HOFFMANN
Oh, if you would just … Look here, now…! A man can’t well do more than that. I assure you that my conscience gave me no rest! I turned back just before reaching Jauer…. That should convince you of the seriousness of my feeling. Where were you going?
LOTH
To the inn–for the moment.
HOFFMANN
Oh, that’s an affront you simply can’t offer me … no, you mustn’t–simply, I believe that I did hurt you badly, of course. And probably it’s not the kind of thing that can be wiped out with just a few words. Only don’t rob me of any chance … of every possibility to prove to you … D’you hear? Now turn back and stay at least–at least until to-morrow. Or till … till I come back. I want to talk it all over with you at leisure. You can’t refuse me that favour.
LOTH
If you set so much store by it all….
HOFFMANN
A great deal!… on my honour!… I care immensely. So come, come! Don’t run away!
[_He leads LOTH, who offers no further resistance, back into the house._
_The dismissed maid and the boy have, in the meantime, placed the chest on a wheelbarrow and GOLISCH has put on the shoulder strap._
MARIE
[_Slipping a coin into GOLISCH’S hand._] There’s somethin’ fer you.
GOLISCH
[_Refusing it._] Keep yer penny.
MARIE
Aw! Ye donkey!
GOLISCH
Well, I don’t care.
[_He takes the coin and puts it into his leathern purse._
MRS. SPILLER
[_Appears at one of the windows of the house and calls out:_] Marie.
MARIE
What d’ye want now?
MRS. SPILLER
[_Appearing almost immediately at the door of the house._] The madame’s willing to keep you, if you promise….
MARIE
A stinkin’ lot I’ll promise her. Go on, Golisch!
MRS. SPILLER
[_Approaching._] The madame is willing to increase your wages, if you…. [_Whispering suddenly._] What d’ye care, girl! She just gits kinder rough now an’ then.
MARIE
[_Furiously._] She c’n keep her dirty money to herself!–[_Tearfully._] I’d rather starve! [_She follows GOLISCH, who has preceded her with the wheelbarrow._] Naw, just to think of it!–It’s enough to make you….
[_She disappears, as does MRS. SPILLER._
_Through the great gate comes BAER called HOPPING BAER. He is a lank fellow with a vulture’s neck and goitre. His feet and head are bare. His breeches, badly ravelled at the bottom, scarcely reach below the knee. The top of his head is bald. Such hair as he has, brown, dusty, and clotted, hangs down over his shoulders. His gait is ostrich-like. By a cord he draws behind him a child’s toy waggon full of sand. His face is beardless. His whole appearance shows him to be a god-forsaken peasant lad in the twenties._
BAER
[_With a strangely bleating voice._] Sa–a–and! Sa–a–and!
_He crosses the yard and disappears between the house and the stables. HOFFMANN and HELEN come from the house. HELEN is pale and carries an empty glass in her hand._
HOFFMANN
[_To HELEN._] Entertain him a bit! You understand? Don’t let him go. I should hate to have him.–Injured vanity like that!… Good-bye!… Oh, maybe I oughtn’t to go at all? How is Martha doing?–I’ve got a queer kind of feeling as if pretty soon…. Nonsense!–Good-bye! … awful hurry!… [_Calls out._] Franz! Give the horses their heads!
[_Leaves rapidly through the main gate._
_HELEN goes to the pump, fills her glass and empties it at one draught. She empties half of another glass. She then sets the glass on the pump and then strolls slowly, looking backward from time to time, through the gate-may. BAER emerges from between the house and the stables and stops with his waggon before the house door, where MIELE takes some sand from him. In the meantime KAHL has become visible at the right, beyond the dividing fence. He is in conversation with MRS. SPILLER, who is on the hither side of the fence and therefore close to the entrance of the yard. As the conversation proceeds, both walk slowly along the fence._
MRS. SPILLER
[_Mildly agonised._] Ah yes–m–Mr. Kahl! I have–m–many a time thought of–m–you when … when our–m–dear Miss Helen … She is so to–m–speak betrothed to you and so–m–ah! I–m–must say … in my time…!
KAHL
[_Mounts a rustic bench under the oak-tree and fastens a bird trap to the lowest branch._] When is th-that b-beast of a doctor goin’ to git out o’ here? Ha?
MRS. SPILLER
Ah, Mr. Kahl! I don’t–m–think so very soon.–Ah, Mr. Kahl, I–m–have, so to speak, come–m–down in the world, but I–m–know–m–what refinement is. In this respect, Mr. Kahl, I–must say–dear Miss Helen isn’t–m–acting quite right toward you. No–m–in that respect, so to speak–m–I’ve never had anything with which to–m–reproach myself–m–my conscience, dear Mr. Kahl, is as pure in that–m–respect–so to speak, as new-fallen snow.
_BAER has finished the sale of his sand and, at this moment, passes by KAHL in order to leave the yard._
KAHL
[_Discovers BAER and calls out._] Heres hopping Baer! Hop a bit!
_BAER takes a, huge leap._
KAHL
[_Bellowing with laughter._] Here, hopping Baer! Hop again!
MRS. SPILLER
Well–m–Mr. Kahl, what I want to say is–m–I have the best–m–intentions toward you. You ought to observe very–m–carefully. Something–m–is going on between our young lady and–m–
KAHL
If I could j-jist git my d-dogs on that son of a–… Jist once!
MRS. SPILLER
[_Mysteriously._] And I’m afraid you–m–don’t know what kind of an individual that–m–is. Oh, I am so–m–truly sorry for our dear young lady. The wife of the bailiff–she has it straight from the office, I think. He is said to be a–m–really dangerous person. The woman said her husband had–m–orders, just think! actually–m–to keep his eye on him.
_LOTH comes from the house and looks about._
MRS. SPILLER
You see, now he is going–m–after our young lady. Oh, it’s _too_ sad–m–for anything.
KAHL
Aw! You wait an’ see!
[_Exit._
_MRS. SPILLER goes to the door of the house. In passing LOTH she makes a deep bow. Then she disappears into the house._
_LOTH disappears slowly through the gateway. The coachman’s wife, an emaciated, worried, starved woman, emerges from between the house and the stables. She carries a large pot hidden under her apron and slinks off toward the cow-shed, looking about fearfully at every moment. She disappears into the door of the stable. The two MAIDS, each before her a wheel-barrow laden with clover, enter by the gate. BEIPST, his pipe in his mouth and his scythe across his shoulder, follows them, LIESE has wheeled her barrow in front of the left, AUGUSTE hers in front of the right door of the barn, and both begin to carry great armfuls of clover into the building._
LIESE
[_Coming back out of the stable._] Guste! D’ye know, Marie is gone.
AUGUSTE
Aw, don’ tell me!
LIESE
Go in there’n ask the coachman’s wife. She’s gittin’ her a drop o’ milk.
BEIPST
[_Hangs up his scythe on the wall._] Ye’d better not let that Spiller creature get wind o’ it.
AUGUSTE
Oh, Lord, no! Who’d think o’ it!
LIESE
A poor woman like that with eight–
AUGUSTE
Eight little brats. They wants to be fed!
LIESE
An’ they wouldn’t give her a drop o’ milk even. It’s low, that’s what I calls it.
AUGUSTE
Where is she milkin’?
LIESE
Way back there.
BEIPST
[_Fills his pipe. Holding his tobacco-pouch with his teeth he mumbles._] Ye say Marie’s gone?
LIESE
Yes, it’s true an’ certain. The parson’s hired man slept with her.
BEIPST
[_Replacing the tobacco-pouch in his pocket._] Everybody feels that way sometimes–even a woman. [_He lights his pipe and disappears through the gateway. In going:_] I’m goin’ fer a bit o’ breakfast.
THE COACHMAN’S WIFE
[_Hiding the pot full of milk carefully under her apron, sticks her head out of the stable door._] Anybody in sight?
LIESE
Ye c’n come if ye’ll hurry. There ain’t nobody. Come! Hurry!
THE COACHMAN’S WIFE
[_Passing by the maids._] It’s fer the nursin’ baby.
LIESE
[_Calling out after her._] Hurry! Some one’s comin’.
_THE COACHMAN’S WIFE disappears between the house and the stable._
AUGUSTE
It’s only the young Miss.
_The maids now finish unloading their wheelbarrows and then thrust them under the doorway. They both go into the cow-shed._
_HELEN and LOTH enter by the gate._
LOTH
A disgusting fellow–this Kahl–an insolent sneak.
HELEN
I think in the arbour in front–[_They pass through the small gate into the little garden by the house and into the arbour._] It’s my favourite place, I’m less disturbed there than anywhere if, sometimes, I want to read something.
LOTH
It’s a pretty place.–Really. [_Both sit down in the arbour, consciously keeping at some distance from one another. An interval of silence. Then LOTH._] You have very beautiful and abundant hair.
HELEN
Yes, my brother-in-law says so too. He thought he had scarcely seen anyone with so much–not even in the city … The braid at the top is as thick as my wrist … When I let it down, it reaches to my knees. Feel it. It’s like silk, isn’t it?
LOTH
It is like silk.
[_A tremour passes through him. He bends down and kisses her hair._
HELEN
[_Frightened._] Ah, don’t. If …
LOTH
Helen! Were you in earnest a while ago?
HELEN
Oh, I am so ashamed–so deeply ashamed. What have I done? Why, I’ve thrown myself at you. That’s what I’ve done. I wonder what you take me for?
LOTH
[_Draws nearer to her and takes her hand in his._] Ah, you mustn’t let _that_ trouble you.
HELEN
[_Sighing._] Oh, if Sister Schmittgen knew of that–I dare not imagine it.
LOTH
Who is Sister Schmittgen?
HELEN
One of my teachers at boarding-school.
LOTH
How can you worry about Sister Schmittgen!
HELEN
She was very good.
[_Laughing heartily to herself suddenly._
LOTH
Why do you laugh all at once?
HELEN
[_Half between respect and jest._] Oh, when she stood in the choir and sang–she had only one long tooth left–then she was supposed to sing: “Trouble yourselves not, my people!”–and it always sounded like: “‘Rouble, ‘rouble yourselves not, my people!” It was too funny. And we always had to laugh so … when it sounded through the chapel: “‘Rouble, ‘rouble!” [_She laughs more and more heartily. LOTH becomes infected by her mirth. She seems so sweet to him at this moment that he wants to take the opportunity to put his arms about her. HELEN wards him off._] An, no! no! Just think! I threw myself at you!
LOTH
Oh, don’t say such things!
HELEN
But it isn’t my fault; you have only yourself to blame for it. Why do you demand …
_LOTH puts his arm about her once more and draws her closer to him. At first she resists a little, then she yields and gazes, with frank blessedness, into the joyous face of LOTH which bends above her. Involuntarily, in the awkwardness of her very timidity, she kisses his mouth. Both grow red; then LOTH returns her kiss. His caress is long and heartfelt. A giving and taking of kisses–silent and eloquent at once–is, for a time, all that passes between them. LOTH is the first to speak._
LOTH
Nellie, dearest! Nellie is your name, isn’t it?
HELEN
[_Kisses him._] Call me something else … call me what you like best …
LOTH
Dearest!…
_The exchange of kisses and of mutual contemplation is repeated._
HELEN
[_Held tight in LOTH’S arms, resting her head on his shoulder, looking up at him with dim, happy eyes, whispers ecstatically._] Oh, how beautiful! How beautiful!
LOTH
To die with you–thus …
HELEN
[_Passionately._] To live!… [_She disengages herself from his embrace._] Why die now?… now …
LOTH
Yon must not misunderstand me. Always, in happy moments, it has come over me with a sense of intoxication–the consciousness of the fact that it is in our power, in my power, to embrace–you understand?
HELEN
To embrace death, if you desired it?
LOTH
[_Quite devoid of sentimentality._] Yes! And the thought of death has nothing horrible in it for me. On the contrary, it seems like the thought of a friend. One calls and knows surely that death will come. And so one can rise above so many, many things–above one’s past, above one’s future fate … [_Looking at HELEN’S hand._] What a lovely hand you have.
[_He caresses it._
HELEN
Ah, yes!–so!…
[_She nestles anew in his arms._
LOTH
No, do you know, I haven’t really lived–until now!
HELEN
Do you think I have?… And I feel faint–faint with happiness. Dear God, how suddenly it all came …
LOTH
Yes, it came all at once …
HELEN
Listen, I feel this way: all the days of my life are like one day; but yesterday and to-day are like a year–a whole year!
LOTH
Didn’t I come till yesterday?
HELEN
Of course not! Naturally! That’s just it!… Oh, and you don’t even know it!
LOTH
And surely it seems to me …
HELEN
Doesn’t it? Like a whole, long year! Doesn’t it? [_Half jumping up._] Wait…! Don’t you hear … [_They move away from each other._] Oh, but I don’t care one bit! I am so full of courage now.
[_She remains seated and invites LOTH with her eyes to move nearer, which he does._
HELEN
[_In LOTH’S arms._] Dear, what are we going to do first?
LOTH
Your step-mother, I suppose, would send me packing.
HELEN
Oh, my step-mother … that won’t matter … it doesn’t even concern her! I do as I please! I have my mother’s fortune, you must know.
LOTH
Did you think on that account …
HELEN
I am of age; father will have to give me my share.
LOTH
You are not, then, on good terms with everyone here?–Where has your father gone to?
HELEN
Gone? You have?… Oh, you haven’t seen my father yet?
LOTH
No; Hoffmann told me….
HELEN
Surely, you saw him once.
LOTH
Not that I know of. Where, dearest?
HELEN
I…. [_She bursts into tears._] No, I can’t. I can’t tell you … it’s too, too fearful!
LOTH
So fearful? But, Helen, is anything wrong with your father?
HELEN
Oh, don’t ask me! Not now, at least! Some time…!
LOTH
I will not urge you to tell me anything, dear, that you don’t voluntarily speak of. And, look, as far as the money is concerned … if the worst came … though I don’t exactly earn superfluous cash with my articles–still, in the end, we could both manage to exist on it.
HELEN
And I wouldn’t be idle either, would I? But the other way is better. My inheritance Is more than enough.–And there’s your life work … no, you’re not to give that up under any circumstances … now less than ever …! Now you’re to have your real chance to pursue it!
LOTH
[_Kissing her tenderly._] Dearest, best …
HELEN
Oh, do you truly care…? Truly? Truly?
LOTH
Truly.
HELEN
You must say truly a hundred times.
LOTH
Truly and truly and truthfully.
HELEN
Oh, now, you’re not playing fair!
LOTH
I am, though. That truthfully is equal to a hundred trulys.
HELEN
Oh? Is that the custom in Berlin?
LOTH
No, but it is here in Witzdorf.
HELEN
Oh! But now, look at my little finger and don’t laugh.
LOTH
Gladly.
HELEN
Did you ever love any one before your first betrothed? Oh, now you _are_ laughing!
LOTH
I will tell you in all seriousness, dearest; indeed, I think it is my duty…. In the course of my life a considerable number of women….
HELEN
[_With a quick and violent start, pressing her hand over his mouth._] For the love of…. Tell me that some day, later, when we are old, when the years have passed, when I shall say to you: “now!” Do you hear! Not before!
LOTH
Just as you will.
HELEN
Rather tell me something sweet now!… Listen: repeat after me:
LOTH
What?
HELEN
I have loved–
LOTH
I have loved–
HELEN
Always you only–
LOTH
Always you only–
HELEN
All the days of my life–
LOTH
All the days of my life–
HELEN
And will love you only as long as I live–
LOTH
And will love you only as long as I live–and that is true so surely as I am an honest man.
HELEN
[_Joyfully._] I didn’t add that!
LOTH
But I did.
[_They kiss each other._
HELEN
[_Hums very softly._] “Thou in my heart art lying …”
LOTH
But now you must confess too.
HELEN
Anything you like.
LOTH
Confess now! Am I the first?
HELEN
No.
LOTH
Who?
HELEN
[_Laughing out in the fullness of her joy._] Willy Kahl!
LOTH
[_Laughing._] Who else?
HELEN
Oh, no, there’s no one else really. You must believe me … Truly there wasn’t. Why should I tell you a falsehood?
LOTH
So there _was_ someone else?
HELEN
[_Passionately._] Oh, please, please, please, don’t ask me now.
[_She hides her face in her hands and weeps apparently without any reason._
LOTH
But … but Nellie! I’m not insistent; I don’t want to …
HELEN
Later … I’ll tell you later … not now!
LOTH
As I said before, dearest.
HELEN
There was some one–I want you to know–whom I … because … because among wicked people he seemed the least wicked. Oh, it is so different now. [_Weeping against LOTH’S neck: stormily._] Ah, if I only didn’t have to leave you at all any more! Oh, if I could only go away with you right here on the spot!
LOTH
I suppose you have a very unhappy time in the house here?
HELEN
Oh, dear!–It’s just frightful–the things that happen here. It’s a life like–that … like that of the beasts of the field–Oh, I would have died without you. I shudder to think of it!
LOTH
I believe it would calm you, dearest, if you would tell me everything quite openly.
HELEN
Yes, to be sure. But I don’t think I can bear to. Not now, at least, not yet. And I’m really afraid to.
LOTH
You were at boarding-school, weren’t you?
HELEN
My mother decided that I be sent–on her death-bed.
LOTH
Was your sister there with you?
HELEN
No, she was always at home … And so when, four years ago, I came back from school, I found a father–who … a step-mother–who … a sister … guess, can’t you guess what I mean!
LOTH
I suppose your step-mother is quarrelsome? Perhaps jealous? unloving?
HELEN
My father…?
LOTH
Well, in all probability he dances to her music. Perhaps she tyrannises over him?
HELEN
Oh, if it were nothing else?… No! It is too frightful!–You can’t possibly guess that _that_ … my father … that it was _my_ father whom you …
LOTH
Don’t weep, Nellie!… Look, you almost make me feel as though I ought to insist that you tell …
HELEN
No, no, it isn’t possible. I haven’t the strength!–not yet!
LOTH
But you’re wearing yourself out this way!
HELEN
But I’m so ashamed, so boundlessly ashamed! Why, you will drive me from you in horror…! It’s beyond anything…! It’s loathsome!
LOTH
Nellie, dear, you don’t know me if you can think such things of me! Repulse you! Drive you from me! Do I seem such a brute to you?
HELEN
My brother-in-law said that you would quite calmly … But no, no, you wouldn’t? Would you?–You wouldn’t just ruthlessly walk over me? Oh! you won’t! You mustn’t! I don’t know what _would_ become of me!
LOTH
But, dear, it’s senseless to talk so. There’s no earthly reason!
HELEN
But if there were a reason, it might happen!
LOTH
No! Not at all!
HELEN
But if you could think of a reason?
LOTH
There are reasons, to be sure; but they’re not in question.
HELEN
And what kind of reasons?
LOTH
I would have to be ruthless only toward some one who would make me betray my own most ideal self.
HELEN
And surely, I wouldn’t want to do that! And yet I can’t rid myself of the feeling–
LOTH
What feeling, dearest?
HELEN
Perhaps it’s just because I’m nothing but a silly girl. There’s so little to me–Why, I don’t even know what it is–to have principles! Isn’t that frightful? But I just simply love you so! And you’re so good, and so great, and so very wise! I’m so afraid that you might, sometime, discover–when I say something foolish, or do something–that it’s all a mistake, that I’m much too silly for you … I’m really as worthless and as silly as I can be!
LOTH
What shall I say to all that? You’re everything to me, just everything in the whole world. I can’t say more!
HELEN
And I’m very strong and healthy, too …
LOTH
Tell me, are your parents in good health?
HELEN
Indeed they are. That is, mother died in childbirth. But father is still well; in fact he must have a very strong constitution. But …
LOTH
Well, you see. Everything is …
HELEN
But if my parents were not strong–;
LOTH
[_Kissing HELEN._] But then, they are, dear.
HELEN
But suppose they were not–?
_MRS. KRAUSE pushes open a window in the house and calls out into the yard._
MRS. KRAUSE
Hey! Girls! Gi–rls!
LIESE
[_From within the cow-shed._] Yes, Missis?
MRS. KRAUSE
Run to Mueller’s! It’s startin’!
LIESE
What! To the midwife, ye mean?
MRS. KRAUSE
Are ye standin’ on your ear?
[_She slams the window._
_LIESE runs out of the cow-shed with a little shawl over her head and then out of the yard._
MRS. SPILLER
[_Calls._] Miss Helen! Oh, Miss Helen!
HELEN
What do you suppose is–?
MRS. SPILLER
[_Approaching the arbour._] Miss Helen!
HELEN
Oh, I know. It’s my sister who–You must go, ’round that way!
[_LOTH withdraws rapidly by the right foreground. HELEN steps out from the arbour._
MRS. SPILLER
Oh, Miss, there you are at last!
HELEN
What is it?
MRS. SPILLER
Ah–m–your sister.