The German Classics of the Nineteenth and Twentieth Centuries Volume Ix Part 108

Your offer did not exactly meet with the kindest reception. And yet, who knows whether, after all, he had not agreed to it, if unfortunately the affair with Andrew--

STEIN.

With Andrew? What affair?

[_Jumps up_.]

You don't mean to say he has come to blows with Robert?

 

PASTOR.

This time only with G.o.dfrey--

STEIN (_sits down again_).

You see I am trembling with impatience.

PASTOR.

G.o.dfrey, intoxicated as usual, treated him like a prowling thief, had him whipped--

[STEIN _jumps up again_.]

PASTOR.

Then it was no wonder that the old man would no longer listen to anything, and gave orders to treat as a poacher every one, except you, who enters the forest with a gun.

STEIN (_who has been walking up and down_).

Bastian!

[BASTIAN _appears at the door_.]

As soon as Moller comes the scoundrel shall be deposed, the brute shall be locked up--do you hear?

BASTIAN.

The bookkeeper?

STEIN.

G.o.dfrey--and Moller with him, if he--come, pastor.

[_Takes his hat and cane. Exit_ BASTIAN.]

PASTOR.

You intend--

STEIN.

You ask?--I am going to the old man! I am going to brush away those caprices in spite of all Wilkens and Mollers!

PASTOR.

That's right! I am with you. [_Rises_.]

STEIN (_stops_).

Wait a moment, parson. Am I to have had that good idea in vain? Listen, what came into my mind a little while ago--as if straight from heaven!

Parson, what do you say if this very day I should transfer Dusterwalde to Robert as his own independent property? He could reinstate the old man with all honors, and n.o.body's dignity would be hurt. I shall immediately draw up the deed of transfer. Go quickly to the forester's house, parson.

PASTOR.

With this message--

STEIN.

Before the old man, or the hotheaded boys, or all three, do something impetuous which--

[_Makes preparations for writing_.]

PASTOR.

And tomorrow--

STEIN.

As if today had never been--

PASTOR.

Mr. Stein comes as usual around the corner of the forester's house and knocks at the window, and the white moustache inside grunts his "Immediately--"

STEIN.

And if you meet Robert--

PASTOR.

I shall be the first one to congratulate the new proprietor of Dusterwalde.

STEIN.

And today you bring them all along--the old man, the boys, the mother and the bride. Then[_advances to the pastor at the door_], as a preliminary celebration we'll crack a bottle of my oldest Johannisberger. But what is the matter out there? Who comes rus.h.i.+ng up the stairs?

[_At the door_.] What has happened?