Brauer.
_Well_! What then! Come on! [_Jumps up, facing him, ready to fight_.]
Mrs. Brauer.
[_Enters, ready to go out, dressed_.] Henry, what on earth have you
done to Gertrude? She is in her room, crying as if her heart would
break.
[Marie _has also come in with_ Mrs. Brauer.]
Brauer.
How is the eggnog getting on, Marie?
Marie.
It is not quite done, papa!
Brauer.
Then let her have her cry; she can bring it up later.
Marie.
Yes, papa.
Mrs. Brauer.
And are you ready?
Brauer.
Ready for what?
Mrs. Brauer.
Are you ready to go now?
Brauer.
Well, wait for me out on the veranda; we have something to settle
first, we two!
Mrs. Brauer.
What's the matter with George?
Brauer.
Oh, I have just asked him for an explanation, and that does not seem to
please him.
Mrs. Brauer.
[_Caressing him_.] Don't you mind him, George dear. After the wedding
you can laugh at him.
Brauer.
Well, we shall see about that!!!
[Mrs. Brauer _and_ Marie _exit_.]
Brauer.
We can't go on like this, for I fear the consequences; but,
nevertheless, I shall handle you without gloves.
George.
Well?
Brauer.
My child loves you. You are her ideal, her all, and the wedding must
take place. But tell me, what right have you to all this pride--I might
even say arrogance?
George.
Must I perhaps ask your permission----?
Brauer.
That is the same old defiance, the same unreasonable stubbornness of
your father's!!!!!
George.
[_Starts_.] My father has been dead these twenty years--what do you
want of him now?
Brauer.
What do I want of him? That he left you to me, to bring up from
childhood, I will hardly mention; although that ought to be sufficient
to temper your untamable pride--at least towards me; but----
George.
Uncle, you may abuse me as much as you please, but my father I will not
have disturbed! My father--you shall let him rest in peace!
Brauer.
And who was it--who took care--who made it possible, that he could rest
in peace?
George.
Uncle, what do you mean?
Brauer.
Well then, who was it, when he laid there, dead, before us, who paid
his debts of honor and saved your father's name from disgrace?
[_Pause_.]
George.
Uncle, you should not have said that!
[_Sinks in chair and covers his face with his hands_.]
Brauer.
My boy----[_Emotion stops him from saying more--walks about_.] See
here----[_Again the same--tries to light a cigar, breaks it and throws
it away_.]
George.