Major.
Well, darling, are you in good spirits?... No!... Well, what is it
then? What is it then?
Frau von Drosse.
Ah, Richard, you surely know.
Major.
Oh, nonsense! Don't worry yourself uselessly.... A young badger like
that--service and casino and what not! I used not to do any better
myself ... Eh, Wilhelm, that you will have remembered even in your
booziness? Many a time I didn't write for four weeks.
Wilhelm (_who is handing the coffee_).
Yes, Major.
Major.
And were you at all worried then?
Wilhelm.
Yes, Major.
Major.
Old donkey.... Well, you see how it is ... The same old story.
Frau von Drosse.
Richard, do you know, last night a thought came to me. They all idolise
him--that boy.
Major.
Yes?
Frau von Drosse.
Well, with the ladies of the regiment, it is no great wonder....
Major.
So far as they wish to get married--no.
Frau von Drosse.
But there is another who takes a very special interest in
him--motherly, as one might say.... No, motherly is not just the right
word, but at any rate, purely human, purely spiritual--you know what I
mean. At the last ball in Wartenstein, she questioned me at length
about him, about his childhood, and everything possible. At the time I
was really rather indignant, but now it pleases me.... I shall write to
her to-day and ask her to keep an eye upon him. For you see, a woman's
influence--that is what he needs.
Major.
Ah, the poor devil! And for that purpose, one of the kind.... Who then
is it?
Frau von Drosse.
Why! You surely know her ... Frau von Lanski of Steinhof.
(Agnes _winces_.)
Major.
Ah, indeed--well, to be sure, hm--that is quite probable.
Frau von Drosse.
Their estate is quite close to the city ... There he could always go in
the evenings ... If only the husband were not so rude. I should be
afraid of him.
Major.
Well, you are not a lieutenant of hussars, darling.
Agnes.
Won't you drink your coffee, aunt? It will be quite cold.
Frau von Drosse.
Ah, the stupid fig-coffee. To be sure, your health is good, you don't
need anything of the kind! (_drinks_) Richard, do you know, last night
I saw a vision.
Major.
Well, what did you see this time, darling?
Frau von Drosse.
There was a wide chamber with many mirrors and lights--perhaps it was
Versailles--perhaps the castle at Berlin. And hundreds of generals
stood there and waited.... (_Excitedly_.) And suddenly the door was
opened wide and at the side of the Emperor----
Agnes.
Drink, aunt--tell about it later--it excites you.
Frau von Drosse.
Yes, my sweet one, yes. (_Drinks and leans back exhausted_.) You know,
Richard, perhaps they are to increase his pay.
Major.
Surely he has enough, darling. Do you wish him to gamble it away?
Frau von Drosse.
Very well, then, let him gamble it away. I find that in general we pay
so little heed to him.... I am obliged to think all the time how he
acted in a roundabout way in the matter of Foxblaze. He didn't trust
himself even to tell it.
Major (_laughing_).
No, child--but just stop.... Besides the charger he already has two
others ... And one of them is Mohammed! Such a big stable--it is only a
nuisance to him.... Just consider!
Frau von Drosse.