Beipst has yet a third son and he has gone down to the mine too since
last Easter.
LOTH
Is it possible? And doesn't the father object?
HELEN
No, not at all. Only he is even more morose than he used to be. Haven't
you seen him yet?
LOTH
How could I?
HELEN
Why, he sat near here this morning, under the gateway.
LOTH
Oh! So he works on the farm here?
HELEN
He has been with us for years.
LOTH
Does he limp?
HELEN
Yes, quite badly, indeed.
LOTH
Ah--ha! And what was it that happened to his leg?
HELEN
That's a delicate subject. You have met Mr. Kahl?... But I must tell you
this story very softly. [_She draws nearer to LOTH._] His father, you
know, was just as silly about hunting as he is. When wandering
apprentices came into his yard he shot at them--sometimes only into the
air in order to frighten them. He had a violent temper too, and
especially when he had been drinking. Well, I suppose Beipst grumbled one
day--he likes to grumble, you know--and so the farmer snatched up his
rifle and fired at him. Beipst, you know, used to be coachman at the
Kahls.
LOTH
Outrage and iniquity wherever one goes.
HELEN
[_Growing more uncertain and excited in her speech._] Oh, I've had my own
thoughts often and often ... and I've felt so sick with pity for them
all, for old Beipst and ... When the farmers are so coarse and brutish
like--well, like Streckmann, who--lets his farm hands starve and feeds
sweetmeats to the dogs. I've often felt confused in my mind since I came
home from boarding-school ... I have my burden too!--But I'm talking
nonsense. It can't possibly interest you, and you will only laugh at me
to yourself.
LOTH
But, my dear Miss Krause, how can you think that? Why should I?
HELEN
How can you help it? You'll think anyhow: she's no better than the rest
here!
LOTH
I think ill of no one.
HELEN
Oh, you can't make me believe that--ever!
LOTH
But what occasion have I given, you to make you ...
HELEN
[_Almost in tears._] Oh, don't talk. You despise us; you may be sure that
you do. Why, how can you help despising us--[_tearfully_]--even my
brother-in-law, even me. Indeed, me above all, and you have--oh, you have
truly good reasons for it!
[_She quickly turns her back to LOTH, no longer able to master her
emotion, and disappears through the orchard into the background. LOTH
passes through the little gate and follows her slowly._
MRS. KRAUSE
[_In morning costume, ridiculously over-dressed, comes out of the house.
Her face is crimson with rage. She screams._] The low-lived hussy! Marie!
Marie!! Under my roof! Out with the brazen hussy!
[_She runs across the yard and disappears in the stable. MRS. SPILLER
appears in the house-door; she is crocheting. From within the stable
resound scolding and howling._
MRS. KRAUSE
[_Comes out of the stable driving the howling maid before her._] Slut of
a wench!--[_The maid almost screams._]--Git out o' here this minute! Pack
yer things 'n then git out!
THE MAID
[_Catching sight of MRS. SPILLER, hurls her milking stool and pail from
her._] That's your doin'! I'll git even with you!
[_Sobbing, she runs up the stairs to the loft._
HELEN
[_Joining MRS. KRAUSE._] Why, what did she do?
MRS. KRAUSE
[_Roughly._] Any o' your business?
HELEN
[_Passionately, almost weeping._] Yes, it is my business.
MRS. SPILLER
[_Coming up quickly._] Dear Miss Helen, it's nothing fit for the ear of a
young lady ...
MRS. KRAUSE
An' I'd like to know why not! She ain't made o' sugar. The wench lay abed
with the hired man. Now you know it!
HELEN
[_In a commanding voice._] The maid shall stay for all that!
MRS. KRAUSE
Wench!
HELEN
Good! Then I'll tell father that you spend your nights just the same way
with William Kahl.
MRS. KRAUSE
[_Strikes her full in the face._] There you got a reminder!
HELEN
[_Deathly pale, but even more firmly._] And I say the maid shall stay!
Otherwise I'll make it known--you ... with William Kahl ... your cousin,
my betrothed ... I'll tell the whole world.
MRS. KRAUSE
[_Her assurance breaking down._] Who can say it's so!
HELEN
I can. For I saw him this morning coming out of your bed-room ...
[_She goes swiftly into the house._
[_MRS. KRAUSE totters, almost fainting. MRS. SPILLER hurries to her
with smelling-salts._
MRS. SPILLER
Oh, Madame, Madame!
MRS. KRAUSE
Sp--iller; the maid c'n ss-stay!
THE CURTAIN FALLS QUICKLY
THE THIRD ACT
_Time: a few minutes after the incident between HELEN and her
step-mother in the yard. The scene is that of the first act._
_Dr. SCHIMMELPFENNIG sits at the table in the foreground to the left.
He is writing a prescription. His slouch hat, cotton gloves and cane
lie on the table before him. He is short and thick-set of figure; his
hair is black and clings in small, firm curls to his head; his
moustache is rather heavy. He wears a black coat after the pattern of
the Jaeger reform garments. He has the habit of stroking or pulling
his moustache almost uninterruptedly; the more excited he is, the
more violent is this gesture. When he speaks to HOFFMANN his
expression is one of enforced equanimity, but a touch of sarcasm
hovers about the corners of his mouth. His gestures, which are
thoroughly natural, are lively, decisive and angular. HOFFMANN walks
up and down, dressed in a silk dressing-gown and slippers. The table
in the background to the right is laid for breakfast: costly
porcelain, dainty rolls, a decanter with rum, etc._
HOFFMANN
Are you satisfied with my wife's appearance, doctor?
DR. SCHIMMELPFENNIG
She's looking well enough. Why not?
HOFFMANN
And do you think that everything will pass favourably?
DR. SCHIMMELPFENNIG
I hope so.
HOFFMANN
[_After a pause, with hesitation._] Doctor, I made up my mind--weeks
ago--to ask your advice in a very definite matter as soon as I came here.
DR. SCHIMMELPFENNIG
[_Who has hitherto talked and written at the same time, lays his pen
aside, arises, and hands HOFFMANN the finished prescription._] Here ... I
suppose you'll have that filled quite soon. [_Taking up his hat, cane and
gloves._] Your wife complains of headaches, and so--[_looking into his
hat and adopting a dry, business-like tone_]--and so, before I forget:
try, if possible, to make it clear to your wife that she is in a measure
responsible for the new life that is to come into the world. I have
already said something to her of the consequences of tight lacing.
HOFFMANN
Certainly, doctor ... I'll do my very best to make it clear to her that
...
DR. SCHIMMELPFENNIG
[_Bowing somewhat awkwardly._] Good morning. [_He is about to go but
stops again._] Ah, yes, you wanted my advice ...
[_He regards HOFFMANN coldly._
HOFFMANN
If you can spare me a little while ... [_With a touch of affectation._]
You know about the frightful death of my first boy. You were near enough
to watch it. You know also what my state of mind was.--One doesn't
believe it at first, but--time does heal!... And, after all, I have cause
to be grateful now, since it seems that my dearest wish is about to be
fulfilled. You understand that I must do everything, everything--it has
cost me sleepless nights and yet I don't know yet, not even yet, just
what I must do to guard the unborn child from the terrible fate of its
little brother. And that is what I wanted to ask ...
DR. SCHIMMELPFENNIG
[_Dryly and business-like._] Separation from the mother is the
indispensable condition of a healthy development.
HOFFMANN
So it is that! Do you mean complete separation?... Is the child not even
to be in the same house with its mother?
DR. SCHIMMELPFENNIG
Not if you are seriously concerned for the preservation of your child.
And your wealth permits you the greatest freedom of movement in this
respect.
HOFFMANN
Yes, thank God. I have already bought a villa with a very large park in
the neighbourhood of Hirschberg. Only I thought that my wife too ...
DR. SCHIMMELPFENNIG
[_Pulls at his moustache and stares at the floor. Thoughtfully._] Why
don't you buy a villa somewhere else for your wife?
[_HOFFMANN shrugs his shoulders._
DR. SCHIMMELPFENNIG
[_As before._] Could you not, perhaps, engage the interest of your
sister-in-law for the task of bringing up this child?
HOFFMANN
If you knew, doctor, how many obstacles ... and, after all, she is a
young, inexperienced girl, and a mother _is_ a mother.
DR. SCHIMMELPFENNIG
You have my opinion. Good morning.
HOFFMANN
[_Overwhelming the doctor with excessive courtesy._] Good morning. I am
extremely grateful to you ...
[_Both withdraw through the middle door._
_HELEN enters. Her handkerchief is pressed to her mouth; she is
sobbing, beside herself, and lets herself fall on the sofa in the
foreground to the left. After a few moments, HOFFMANN reenters, his
hands full of newspapers._
HOFFMANN
Why, what is that? Tell me, sister, are things to go on this way much
longer? Since I came here not a day has passed on which I haven't seen
you cry.
HELEN
Oh!--what do _you_ know? If you had any sense for such things you'd be
surprised that you ever saw me when I didn't cry!
HOFFMANN
That isn't clear to me.
HELEN
Oh, but it is to me!
HOFFMANN
Look here, something must have happened!
HELEN
[_Jumps up and stamps her foot._] Ugh ... but I won't bear it any longer
... it's got to stop! I won't endure such things any more! I don't see
why ... I ...
[_Her sobs choke her._
HOFFMANN
Won't you tell me at least what the trouble is, so that I ...
HELEN
[_Bursting out with renewed passion._] I don't care what happens to me!
Nothing worse _could_. I've got a drunkard for a father, a beast--with
whom his ... his own daughter isn't safe.--An adulterous step-mother who
wants to turn me over to her lover ... And this whole life.--No, I don't
see that anyone can force me to be bad in spite of myself. I'm going
away! I'll run away! And if the people here won't let me go, then ...
rope, knife, gun ... I don't care! I don't want to take to drinking
brandy like my sister.
HOFFMANN
[_Frightened, grasps her arm._] Nellie, keep still, I tell you; keep
still about that.
HELEN
I don't care; I don't care one bit! I ... I'm ashamed of it all to the
very bottom of my soul. I wanted to learn something, to be something, to
have a chance--and what am I now?
HOFFMANN
[_Who has not released her arm, begins gradually to dram the girl over
toward the sofa. The tone of his voice now takes on an excessive
softness, an exaggerated, vibrant gentleness._] Nellie! Ah, I know right
well that you have many things to suffer here. But be calm...! You need
not tell one who knows. [_He puts his right hand caressingly upon her
shoulder and brings his face close to hers._] I can't bear to see you
weep. Believe me--it hurts me. But don't, don't see things in a worse
light than is needful--; and then: have you forgotten, that we are
both--you and I--so to speak--in the same position?--I have gotten into
this peasant atmosphere--do I fit into it? As little as you do yourself,
surely.
HELEN
If my--dear little mother had suspected this--when she ... when she
directed--that I should be--educated at Herrnhut! If she had rather ...
rather left me at home, then at least ... at least I wouldn't have known
anything else, and I would have grown up in this corruption, But now ...
HOFFMANN
[_Has gently forced HELEN down upon the sofa and now sits, pressed close,
beside her. In his consolations the sensual element betrays itself more
and more strongly._] Nellie! Look at me; let those things be. Let me be
your consolation, I needn't talk to you about your sister. [_He embraces
her more firmly. Passionately and feelingly._] Oh, if she were what you
are!... But as it is ... tell me: what can she be to me? Did you ever
hear of a man, Nellie, of a cultured man whose wife--[_he almost
whispers_]--is a prey to such an unhappy passion? One is afraid to utter
it aloud: a woman--and--brandy ... Now, do you think I am any happier?...
Think of my little Freddie! Well, am I, when all's said, any better off
than you are?... [_With increasing passion._] And so, you see, fate has
done us one kindness anyhow. It has brought us together. And we belong
together. Our equal sorrows have predestined us to be friends. Isn't it
so, Nellie?
[_He puts his arms wholly around her. She permits it but with an
expression which shows that she forces herself to mere endurance. She
has grown quite silent and seems, with quivering tension of soul, to
be awaiting some certainty, some consummation that is inevitably
approaching._
HOFFMANN
[_Tenderly._] You should consent to my plan; you should leave this house
and live with us. The baby that is coming needs a mother. Come and be a
mother to it; otherwise--[_passionately moved and sentimentally_]--it
will have no mother. And then: bring a little, oh, only a very little
brightness into my life! Do that! Oh, do that!
[_He is about to lean his head upon her breast. She jumps up,
indignant. In her expression are revealed contempt, surprise,
loathing and hatred._
HELEN
Oh, but you are, you are ... Now I know you thoroughly! Oh, I've felt it
dimly before. But now I am certain.
HOFFMANN
[_Surprised, put out of countenance._] What? Helen ... you're
unique--really.
HELEN
Now I know that you're not by one hair's breadth better ... indeed,
you're much worse--the worst of them all here!
HOFFMANN
[_Arises. With assumed coldness._] D'you know, your behaviour to-day is
really quite peculiar.
HELEN
[_Approaches him._] You have just one end in view. [_Almost whispering._]
But you have very different weapons from father and from my stepmother,
or from my excellent betrothed--oh, quite different. They are all lambs,
all of them, compared to you. Now, now, suddenly, that has become clear
as day to me.
HOFFMANN
[_With hypocritical indignation._] Helen, you seem really not to be in
your right mind; you're, suffering under a delusion.... [_He interrupts
himself and strikes his forehead._] Good Lord, of course! I see it all.
You have ... it's very early in the day, to be sure, but I'd wager ...
Helen! Have you been talking to Alfred Loth this morning?
HELEN
And why should I not have been talking to him? He is the kind of man
before whom we should all be hiding in shame if things went by rights.
HOFFMANN
So I was right!... That's it ... Aha ... well, to be sure ... then I have
no further cause for surprise. So he actually used the opportunity to go
for his benefactor a bit. Of course, one should really be prepared for
things of that kind.
HELEN
Do you know, I think that is really caddish.
HOFFMANN
I'm inclined to think so myself.
HELEN
He didn't breathe one syllable, not one, about you.
HOFFMANN
[_Slurring HELEN'S argument._] If things have reached that pass, then it
is really my duty, my duty, I say, as a relative toward an inexperienced
young girl like you ...
HELEN
Inexperienced girl! What is the use of this pretence?
HOFFMANN
[_Enraged._] Loth came into this house on my responsibility. Now I want
you to know that he is, to put it mildly, an exceedingly dangerous
fanatic--this Mr. Loth.
HELEN
To hear you saying that of Mr. Loth strikes me as so absurd, so laughably
absurd!
HOFFMANN
And he is a fanatic, furthermore, who has the gift of muddling the heads
not only of women, but even of sensible people,
HELEN
Well, now, you see, that again strikes me as so absurd. I only exchanged
a few words with Mr. Loth and ever since I feel a clearness about things
that does me so much good ...
HOFFMANN
[_In a rebukeful tone._] What I tell you is by no means absurd!
HELEN
One has to have a sense for the absurd, and that's what you haven't.
HOFFMANN
[_In the same manner._] That isn't what we're discussing. I assure you
once more that what I tell you is not at all absurd, but something that I
must ask you to take as actually true ... I have my own experience to
guide me. Notions like that befog one's mind; one rants of universal
brotherhood, of liberty and equality and, of course, transcends every
convention and every moral law.... In those old days, for the sake of
this very nonsense, we were ready to walk over the bodies of our parents
to gain our ends ... Heaven knows it. And he, I tell you, would be
prepared, in a given case, to do the same thing to-day.
HELEN
And how many parents, do you suppose, walk year in and out over the
bodies of their children without anybody's ...
HOFFMANN
[_Interrupting her._] That is _nonsense_! Why, that's the end of all....
I tell you to take care, in every ... I tell you emphatically, in _every_
respect. You won't find a trace of moral scrupulousness in that quarter.
HELEN
Oh, dear, how absurd that sounds again. I tell you, when once you begin
to take notice of things like that ... it's awfully interesting.
HOFFMANN
You may say what you please. I have warned you. Only I will tell you
quite in confidence: at the time of that incident I very nearly got into
the same damnable mess myself.
HELEN
But if he's such a dangerous man, why were you sincerely delighted
yesterday when he ...
HOFFMANN
Good Lord, I knew him when I was young. And how do you know that I didn't
have very definite reasons for ...
HELEN
Reasons? Of what kind?
HOFFMANN
Never mind.--Though, if he came; to-day, and if I knew what I do know
to-day--
HELEN
What is it that you know? I've told you already that he didn't utter one
word about you.
HOFFMANN
Well, you may depend on it that if that had been the case, I would have
thought it all over very carefully, and would probably have taken good
care not to keep him here. Loth is now and always will be a man whose
acquaintance compromises you. The authorities have an eye on him.
HELEN
Why? Has he committed a crime?
HOFFMANN
The less said about it the better. Just let this assurance be sufficient
for you: to go about the world to-day, entertaining his opinions, is far
worse and, above all, far more dangerous than stealing.
HELEN
I will remember.--But now--listen! After all your talk about Mr. Loth,
you needn't ask me any more what I think of you.--Do you hear?
HOFFMANN
[_With cold cynicism._] Do you suppose that I'm so greatly concerned to
know that? [_He presses the electric button._] And, anyhow, I hear him
coming in.
LOTH _enters._
HOFFMANN
Hallo! Did you sleep well, old man?
LOTH
Well, but not long. Tell me this, though: I saw a gentleman leaving the
house a while ago.
HOFFMANN
Probably the doctor. He was here a while ago. I told you about him,
didn't I?--this queer mixture of hardness and sentimentality.
_HELEN gives instructions to EDWARD, who has just entered. He leaves
and returns shortly, serving tea and coffee._
LOTH
This mixture, as you call him, happened to resemble an old friend of my
student days most remarkably. In fact, I could have taken my oath that it
was a certain--Schimmelpfennig.
HOFFMANN
[_Sitting down at the breakfast table._] That's quite
right--Schimmelpfennig.
LOTH
Quite right? You mean?
HOFFMANN
That his name is really Schimmelpfennig.
LOTH
Who? The doctor here?
HOFFMANN
Yes, certainly, the doctor.
LOTH
Now that is really strange enough. Then of course, it's he?
HOFFMANN
Well, you see, beautiful souls find each other on sea and shore. You'll
pardon me, won't you, if I begin? We were just about to sit down to
breakfast. Do take a seat yourself. You haven't had breakfast anywhere
else, have you?
LOTH
No.
HOFFMANN
Very well. Then sit down. [_Remaining seated himself he draws out a chair
for LOTH hereupon addressing EDWARD, who enters with tea and coffee._]
Ah, by the way, is Mrs. Krause coming down?
EDWARD
The madame and Mrs. Spiller are taking their breakfast upstairs.
HOFFMANN
Why, that has never before ...
HELEN
[_Pushing the dishes to rights._] Never mind. There's a reason.
HOFFMANN
Is that so?... Loth, help yourself!... Egg? Tea?
LOTH
I wonder if I could have a glass of milk?
HOFFMANN
With all the pleasure in the world.
HELEN
Edward, tell Miele to get some fresh milk.
HOFFMANN
[_Peeling an egg._] Milk--brrr! Horrible! [_Helping himself to salt and
pepper._] By the way, Loth, what brings you into these parts? Up to now
I've forgotten to ask you.
LOTH
[_Spreading butter on a roll._] I would like to study the local
conditions.
HOFFMANN
[_Looking up sharply._] That so?... What kind of conditions?
LOTH
To be precise: I want to study the condition of your miners.
HOFFMANN
Ah! In general that condition is a very excellent one, surely.
LOTH
Do you think so?--That would be a very pleasant fact ... Before I forget,
however. You can be of some service to me in the matter. You will deserve
very well of political economy, if you ...
HOFFMANN
I? How exactly?
LOTH
Well, you have the sole agency for the local mines?
HOFFMANN
Yes; and what of it?
LOTH
It will be very easy for you, in that case, to obtain permission for me
to inspect the mines. That is to say: I would like to go down into them
daily for at least a month, in order that I may gain a fairly accurate
notion of the management.
HOFFMANN
[_Carelessly._] And then, I suppose, you will describe what you've seen
down there?
LOTH
Yes, my work is to be primarily descriptive.
HOFFMANN
I'm awfully sorry, but I've nothing to do with that side of things. So
you just want to write about the miners, eh?
LOTH
That question shows how little of an economist you are.
HOFFMANN
[_Whose vanity is stung._] I beg your pardon! I hope you don't think ...
Why? I don't see why that isn't a legitimate question?... And, anyhow: it
wouldn't be surprising. One can't know everything.
LOTH
Oh, calm yourself. The matter stands simply thus: if I am to study the
situation of the miners in this district, it is of course unavoidably
necessary that I touch upon all the factors that condition their
situation.
HOFFMANN
Writings of that kind are sometimes full of frightful exaggerations.
LOTH
That is a fault which I hope to guard against.
HOFFMANN
That will be very praiseworthy. [_He has several times already cast brief
and searching glances at HELEN, who hangs with naive devoutness upon
LOTH'S lips. He does so again now and continues._] I say ... it's just
simply too queer for anything--how things will suddenly pop into a man's
mind. I wonder how things like that are brought about in the brain?
LOTH
What is it that has occurred to you so suddenly?
HOFFMANN
It's about you.--I thought of your be--... No, maybe it's tactless to
speak of your heart's secrets in the presence of a young lady.
HELEN
Perhaps it would be better for me to....
LOTH
Please stay. Miss Krause! By all means stay, at least as far as I'm
concerned. I've seen for some time what he's aiming at. There's nothing
in the least dangerous about it. [_To HOFFMANN._] You're thinking of my
betrothal, eh?
HOFFMANN
Since you mention it yourself, yes. I was, as a matter of fact, thinking
of your betrothal to Anna Faber.
LOTH
That was broken off, naturally, when I was sent to prison.
HOFFMANN
That wasn't very nice of your....
LOTH
It was, at least, honest in her! The letter in which she broke with me
showed her true face. Had she shown that before she would have spared
herself and me, too, a great deal.
HOFFMANN
And since that time your affections haven't taken root anywhere?
LOTH
No.
HOFFMANN
_Of_ course! I suppose you've capitulated along the whole line--forsworn
marriage as well as drink, eh? Ah, well, _à chacun son goût_.
LOTH
It's not my taste that decides in this matter, but perhaps my fate. I
told you once before, I believe, that I have made no renunciation in
regard to marriage. What I fear is this, that I won't find a woman who is
suitable for me,
HOFFMAN
That's a big order, Loth!
LOTH
I'm quite serious, though. It may be that one grows too critical as the
years go on and possesses too little healthy instinct. And I consider
instinct the best guarantee of a suitable choice.
HOFFMANN
[_Frivolously._] Oh, it'll be found again some day--[_laughing_]--the
necessary instinct, I mean.
LOTH
And, after all, what have I to offer a woman? I doubt more and more
whether I ought to expect any woman to content herself with that small
part of my personality which does not belong to my life's work. Then,
too, I'm afraid of the cares which a family brings.
HOFFMANN
Wh-at? The cares of a married man? Haven't you a head, and arms, eh?
LOTH
Obviously. But, as I've tried to tell you, my productive power belongs,
for the greater part, to my life's work and will always belong to it.
Hence it is no longer mine. Then, too, there would be peculiar
difficulties ...
HOFFMANN
Listen! Hasn't some one been sounding a gong?
LOTH