Roses: Four One-Act Plays Part 23

A PLAY IN ONE ACT

CHARACTERS

The Unknown Lady.

Lieutenant Von Wolters.

Mulbridge, a horse-trainer.

His Wife.

Daisy, their daughter.

Kellermann.

Tempski, an orderly.

A Groom.

The Present Day.

_The scene is laid in a large German garrison_.

THE LAST VISIT

Frau Mulbridge.

Well, now we have seen our poor, dear captain for the last time.

Mulbridge.

Yes. He was a good fellow, our captain and--awfully fond of horses.

Frau Mulbridge.

Why, Daisy, what's the matter, dear? You've been standing here all alone, and yet, until now, you wouldn't stir from the coffin.

Daisy.

I saw him quite well from here, mother, dear.

Mulbridge (_caressing her_).

My girlie--my little girl. Yes--we all loved him.

Frau Mulbridge.

(_To_ Tempski, _who is sobbing._) There, there, Tempski, hush now. (_A bell rings, right._) There's the bell; go and open the door. (Tempski _goes out at the right._)

Mulbridge (_to the_ Groom).

And we'll be off to the stables!

Frau Mulbridge.

s.h.!.+ The Lieutenant!

Mulbridge (_to the Groom_).

Go on! (_Pushes the_ Groom _out, left._)

(Lieutenant von Wolters _enters. He is an attractive young officer, very smart in appearance, wearing the uniform of an Uhlan_. Kellermann, _a self-possessed, sharp-eyed man, follows him. While they are entering_, Tempski _comes in at the right, quietly places a wreath on one of the piles near the columns, and goes out again._)

v. Wolters.

Well, Herr-- (_He puts his hand to his eyes, overcome for the moment, then stiffly, trying to conceal his emotion._) Herr--Kellermann was the name, wasn't it?

Kellermann.

At your service, Lieutenant.

v. Wolters.

You have done everything very satisfactorily. I am much obliged to you.

You understand that the removal of the coffin to the church is to be accomplished as secretly as possible.

Kellermann.

I'm silent as the grave, Lieutenant. My business sort of carries that with it, don't you know.

v. Wolters.

It will be dark about half past five. I have ordered the troops that are to accompany the casket to be here at half past six. At the church--the catafalque and the rest--I can confidently leave all that to you?

Kellermann.

Most a.s.suredly, Lieutenant. I shall see that everything is of the finest.

v. Wolters.

But remember your instructions: all superfluous ostentation is to be rigorously avoided--to-morrow at the funeral procession, also.

Kellermann.

I understand, Lieutenant--because of the way he met his death.