The Dramatic Works of Gerhart Hauptmann Volume Ii Part 79

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