The German Classics of the Nineteenth and Twentieth Centuries Volume Ix Part 88

[_The_ FORESTER _is obliged to sit down_.]

SOPHY (_to_ ANDREW, _whom she has been compelled to restrain all the while, and who now rushes toward the door_).

Where are you going, Andrew?

ANDREW.

I am going to tell Robert what his father--

SOPHY.

Don't you dare to--

ANDREW.

Let me go, mother, before I lay hands on that fellow there--

[_Exit in violent anger_.]

FORESTER.

Never mind. Never mind! Keep quiet, woman.

[_Rises_.]

Good-day, Mr. Moller. You have left some money behind you, sir. Better take it, or I'll throw it after you.

[_Steps to the window and whistles_.]

MoLLER.

You see, madam, it gives me pain to discharge my duty. I am going to G.o.dfrey.

FORESTER (_without turning toward him_).

Good luck on the way!

SCENE X

_The_ FORESTER _is standing at the window whistling_. WILKENS _is looking for his cane and hat_. SOPHY _in perplexity looks from one to the other. As he is about to leave_, MoLLER _encounters_ ROBERT _and_ ANDREW, _who come rus.h.i.+ng in_. MARY _is clinging to the arm of_ ROBERT _whom she tries to calm_.

ROBERT (_entering angrily_).

He shall give in. He shall not spoil the beautiful day.

ANDREW.

Go to your father. He commenced this quarrel.

MoLLER.

It is lucky that I meet you, Mr. Stein. I am commissioned to beg you to come home at once.

[_Exit_.]

ROBERT.

Ulrich, you yield; you must yield.

FORESTER (_turning away from the window_).

You, Mr. Stein? What do you want from me? Mary, you go out there! What do you want from the man whom your father intends to dismiss?

ROBERT.

But why will you not consent?

ANDREW.

Because he wishes to remain an honest man, and will not suffer himself to be made a scoundrel by you. [_The_ FORESTER _makes a sign to him to be silent_.]

ROBERT.

I am not talking to you now, Andrew.

FORESTER.

You are here with your father's consent, Mr. Stein? Moreover--sir, and if your father had the power to take from me my position and my honor--the fact that I have an irreproachable child, that is something he cannot take from me. And any one else--hey? Young man, on this point I am touchy. Do you understand?

SOPHY.

But will you fall out even with your last friend?

FORESTER.

Mary's reputation is at stake. If he is a friend, he knows without my telling him what he has to do.

ROBERT.

I know what I have to do; but you do not. Otherwise you would not risk your children's happiness for a whim--for--

FORESTER.

Ho! ho! Tell that to your father, young man!

ROBERT.