The German Classics of the Nineteenth and Twentieth Centuries Volume Ix Part 105

But surely you will not go away?

ROBERT.

No, Katharine, I shall remain here.

[_Exit_ KATHARINE.]

SCENE VI

 

ROBERT, _alone; later_, G.o.dFREY; finally MoLLER _with two workingmen_.

ROBERT (_looks for some time after_ KATHARINE; _then walks up and down_).

I wonder whether she will come? Whether she will leave her father for my sake?

[_Stops_.]

I shall go into the world as a hunter. I am young, strong, and understand my profession thoroughly--why should I not succeed?

[_Losing himself in thought_.]

And then--when I come home from the forest--healthily tired out by my work in the open air--and she has been watching for me--and comes to meet me--and takes my gun, so as to have something to carry--and hangs it on her shoulder--and my hunter's house standing like that one yonder--the trees rustling--and I holding her in my arms, exclaiming jubilantly: Only that happiness is happiness which one owes to one's own efforts!--And then--

[_The report of a gun is heard, and startles him_.]

G.o.dFREY (_still behind the scenes, groaning_).

Scoundrel!

ROBERT.

What is that?

G.o.dFREY (_staggers upon the scene_; ROBERT _hurries toward him and catches him just as he is falling down_).

I--am--done for--

ROBERT.

G.o.dfrey! For heaven's sake! Has some one shot you? Hallo! Is n.o.body near? Hallo! Help!

MoLLER (_behind the scenes_).

Hurry up, men! Over there! The shouting comes from the path!

ROBERT.

People are coming. Come here, come here! Help!

MoLLER (_as before_).

That is Mr. Robert's voice.

ROBERT.

If help is to be of any avail here, it must come quickly.

[_Opens_ G.o.dFREY'S _coat and vest_.]

MoLLER.

To be sure, it is you, Mr. Stein.

[_Enters with two workingmen_.]

But--

ROBERT.

Moller, is that you? Look here what has happened!--Are you still alive, G.o.dfrey?

G.o.dFREY.

Still--but--

MoLLER (_coming up_).

G.o.dfrey! Merciful heavens!

ROBERT.

Shot from ambush. The bullet entered at the back.

MoLLER.

G.o.dfrey, speak! Who did it?

G.o.dFREY.

He had--the rifle--with the yellow strap--

ROBERT.

Andrew's rifle?

G.o.dFREY.