Brauer.
Then bring it later--yourself.
Marie.
[_With a glance at_ George.] Could not Gertrude bring it, papa? I have
so much work to do!
Gertrude.
No, no, papa!!!
Brauer.
Yes, yes, you shall!--bring it up when done; and mind, you remain at
the pastor's as long as your mother and I, this time. Understand?
Gertrude.
Oh, papa dear! The last time, the old pastor insisted upon holding my
hand in his so long; and they are so cold and clammy, so shriveled and
hairy, like the hands of the dead!
Brauer.
Come here, my child. Those hairy hands once christened you, and at your
confirmation the same shriveled hands were laid upon your head and
invoked for you the blessings of heaven; and would you, after all that,
refuse to hold them in your own warm young hands? My daughter, I do not
wish to hear that again. [_Kisses her_.]
Marie.
[_Slowly has approached_ George. _Softly, aside to him_.] You will do
as I ask?
Brauer.
And now, leave us.
[Marie _and_ Gertrude _exit_.]
"Now, then, comes your turn," says the stork to the worm.
George.
[_Looking after the girls, turns_.] I suppose so, but take a care,
uncle, I am not so easily digested.
Brauer.
We shall see! We shall see!
George.
What do you want with me? My financial condition is satisfactory. I
have a good position, and my future is assured. I desire to enjoy the
results of my own labors, not those of yours.
Brauer.
So, so!
George.
Yes, dear uncle. If you were so determined upon giving a large dowry,
you should have found another husband for Gertrude than myself.
Brauer.
[_Riled_.] Oh, hang you and your confounded pride!
George.
Yes, I am proud; and because of my pride and determination, and, I may
say, defiance, I have become what I am!
Brauer.
[_Rather arrogantly_.] And was there no diligence?
George.
That, also, was nothing but defiance.
Brauer.
I almost believe you are determined to create another rumpus, as you
did twelve years ago.
George.
If necessary, yes!
Brauer.
And was it necessary, even then?
George.
You ask me that question? When one day I came here, during vacation
from college, you insisted upon my attending your church. I refused.
You gave me my choice, either to do as you asked, or have my allowance
cut off. Then I resolved in my mind never to comply with your command,
in spite of everything. Oh, it is no pleasure to hunger, as I was
forced to do then; but you may believe me, as I stand before you now, a
free and independent man, I owe all of it to my stubborn confidence in
myself, looking neither to right nor left, but straight ahead, without
concessions, without falsehoods, always able to look every man straight
in the face. And this good conscience is my proudest possession. From
it do I draw all my strength, and I will never give it up.
Brauer.
Well, who the devil asked you to give it up?
George.
And one thing more. Of course, I belong to this house; fate has made it
my lot. Therefore it has ever been far from my mind to seek a wife
elsewhere, so strongly attached do I feel myself to this house; and
that would have been impossible, had I not from that day been a free
man. And now, dear uncle, you are at heart a good and kind man; but
your hand is heavy, and it must not lie upon me again as that of the
master. For that reason do I refuse to touch even one penny of the
dowry, now or any other time.
Brauer.
So, so! Then you are really afraid of me?
George.
Afraid of you? Bah!!!
Brauer.
And at heart you are nothing but a coward!!
George.