The Lonely Way-Intermezzo-Countess Mizzie Part 3

(Der Einsame Weg)

A DRAMA IN FIVE ACTS

1903

PERSONS

PROFESSOR WEGRAT } President of the Academy } of Plastic Arts

GABRIELLE } His wife

FELIX } } Their children JOHANNA }

JULIAN FICHTNER

STEPHAN VON SALA

IRENE HERMS

DR. FRANZ REUMANN } A physician

FICHTNER'S VALET

SALA'S VALET

A MAID AT THE WEGRATS'

THE LONELY WAY

THE FIRST ACT

_The little garden attached to Professor Wegrat's house. It is almost surrounded by buildings, so that no outlook of any kind is to be had.

At the right in the garden stands the small two-storied house with its woodwork veranda, to which lead three wooden steps. Entries are made from the veranda as well as from either side of the house. Near the middle of the stage is a green garden table with chairs to match, and also a more comfortable armchair. A small iron bench is placed against a tree at the left._

_Johanna is walking back and forth in the garden when Felix enters, wearing the uniform of a uhlan._

JOHANNA (_turning about_)

Felix!

FELIX

Yes, it's me.

JOHANNA

How are you?--And how have you been able to get another furlough?

FELIX

Oh, it won't last long.--And how's mamma?

JOHANNA

Doing pretty well the last few days.

FELIX

Do you think she would be scared if I dropped in on her unexpectedly?

JOHANNA

No. But wait a little just the same. She's asleep now. I have just come from her room.--How long are you going to stay, Felix?

FELIX

To-morrow night I'm off again.

JOHANNA (_staring into a fancied distance_)

Off....

FELIX

Oh, it sounds big! But one doesn't get so very far off--not in any respect.

JOHANNA

And you have wanted it so badly.... (_Pointing to his uniform_) Now you've got it. And are you not satisfied?

FELIX

Well, at any rate it is the most sensible thing I have gone into so far. For now I feel at least that I might achieve something under certain circ.u.mstances.

JOHANNA

I believe you would make good in any profession.

FELIX