The German Classics of the Nineteenth and Twentieth Centuries Volume Xii Part 5

Father!

OLDENDORF.

Colonel, I do not comprehend this att.i.tude, and I beg you to consider that we are speaking before witnesses.

COLONEL.

Do not ask for any consideration. It would have been your place to show consideration for the man whose friends.h.i.+p you are otherwise so ready to claim.

OLDENDORF.

But, first of all, tell me frankly what is your own connection with the articles attacked in the _Coriola.n.u.s_?

COLONEL.

A very chance connection, too insignificant in your eyes to deserve your regard. The articles are by me!

IDA.

Heavens!

OLDENDORF (_vehemently_).

By you? Articles in the paper of this gentleman?

IDA (_entreating him_).

Edward!

OLDENDORF (_more calmly_).

The _Union_ has attacked not you but an unknown person, who to us was merely a partisan of this gentleman. You would have spared us both this painful scene had you not concealed from me the fact that you are a correspondent of the _Coriola.n.u.s_.

COLONEL.

You will have to stand my continuing not to make you a confidant of my actions. You have here given me a printed proof of your friends.h.i.+p, which does not make me long for other proofs.

OLDENDORF (_taking up his hat_).

I can only say that I deeply regret the occurrence, but do not feel myself in the least to blame. I hope, Colonel, that, when you think the matter over calmly, you will come to the same conclusion. Good-by, Miss Ida. Good day to you.

[_Exit as far as centre door._]

IDA (_entreating_).

Father, don't let him leave us that way!

COLONEL.

It is better than to have him stay.

_Enter_ ADELAIDE.

ADELAIDE (_entering in elegant traveling costume, meets_ OLDENDORF _at the door_).

Not so fast, Professor!

[OLDENDORF _kisses her hand and leaves._]

IDA. }(_together_ Adelaide! [_Falls into her arms._]).

COLONEL. } Adelaide! And at such a moment!

ADELAIDE (_holding_ IDA _fast and stretching out her hand to the_ COLONEL).

Shake hands with your compatriot. Aunt sends love, and Rosenau Manor, in its brown autumn dress, presents its humble compliments. The fields lie bare, and in the garden the withered leaves dance with the wind.--Ah, Mr. von Senden!

COLONEL (_introducing_).

Mr. Blumenberg, the editor.

SENDEN.

We are delighted to welcome our zealous agriculturist to the city.

ADELAIDE.

And we should have been pleased occasionally to meet our neighbor in the country.

COLONEL.

He has a great deal to do here. He is a great politician, and works hard for the good cause.

ADELAIDE.

Yes, indeed, we read of his doings in the newspaper. I drove through your fields yesterday. Your potatoes are not all in yet. Your steward didn't get through with the work.

SENDEN.

You Rosenau people are privileged to get through a week earlier than any one else.

ADELAIDE.

On the other hand, we have nothing to do but to farm. (_Amicably._) The neighbors send greetings.

SENDEN.

Thank you. We must relinquish you now to friends who have more claim on you than we have. But will you not receive me in the course of the day so that I can ask for the news from home? [ADELAIDE _inclines her head._]