Wilhelm.
(_Who had gone out, appears excitedly at the door on the right and
calls softly_.) Major, Major!
Major (_springing up_).
What is it?
Wilhelm (_in a whisper_).
The--the--young master!
Frau von Drosse (_turning round suddenly_).
What is it about the young master?
Major (_rushes out. His voice is heard_).
Boy, boy, boy!
(Frau von Drosse _breaks out in ecstatic laughter_.)
Agnes.
Quietly, aunt! Quietly! Don't excite yourself!
_SEVENTH SCENE_.
THE SAME. FRITZ VON DROSSE (_in hussar uniform, his mother's son,
slender, delicate, very youthful, blond to the roots of his closely
cropped hair, small curled moustache, erratic person. Uneasiness is
veiled beneath a noisy cheerfulness_).
Frau von Drosse.
(_Goes to meet him with outstretched arms_.) My God! there he really
is!
Fritz.
I should think he was! (_Presses her to his heart and strokes her hair,
closes his eyes a moment, as if overcome with faintness_.) But be
seated, mamma, be seated. Confound it, but I have ridden! And on the
way, my horse lost another shoe.
Major.
Mohammed?
Fritz.
No, I am riding the Spy.
Major.
Where did it happen?
Fritz.
Thank God! just near Gehlsdorf.... I wasted twenty-five minutes at the
blacksmith's.... But then--when--you should have seen!... Yes, Wilhelm,
just see to it that the horse is well scraped and rubbed down. And
don't let him stand just now--first lead him about properly.... An
hour, feeding time--understand, old chap?... There, give me your
paw--so!--don't be so agitated.... And now, go on, out with you!
(_Exit_ Wilhelm.)
Frau von Drosse.
Come here, my Fritzchen, sit beside me!
Fritz.
Very well, mamma, let us, very well!
Frau von Drosse.
You see, Agnes she had a presentiment about you.
Fritz.
Ah! Good-day, Agnes!
Agnes.
Good-day, Fritz!
Fritz.
You are so formal!
Agnes.
I?... Ah, no, dear Fritz.... Would you not like to drink something?
(Fritz _stares at her, without replying_.)
Major.
Fritz!
Fritz (_starting up_).
Yes, father!
Major.
You are asked a question.
Fritz.
To be sure, pardon me!... Pardon me, dear Agnes!... It is the heat ...
It makes one quite idiotic.... Please bring me anything you like....
No, bring me rather some Rhine wine.... Bring some of the '64.
Major (_laughing_).
You go eagerly at the stuff, my son....
Fritz.
Forgive me, father, if I was too bold. I don't know how I came to do
it.
Major (_to_ Agnes).
Just bring it, bring it.
(Agnes _takes the keys from the shelf and goes out to the right_.)
Frau von Drosse.
How long have you furlough, my boy?
Fritz.
Furlough? Ha, ha, furlough ... No furlough at all. Sixty precious
minutes, I have spared for you (_stretching himself_) then it is over!
(_Throws himself into a chair standing near the place where his mother
is sitting_.)
Major.
It is "over," what does that mean? Are you then on duty?
Fritz.
On duty?... Well, yes indeed, I am on duty--to be sure--of course.
Major.
What duty can that be?
Fritz.
Well, a patrol ride, of course.
Major.
When did you set out?
Fritz.
At noon, father.
Major.
Remarkable. In my time, the cavalry rode in patrol service rather about
midnight.
Fritz.
Yes, the old man[2] does such things.... It is all one to him. If he
can give petty annoyance. Yes.
Major.
How do you have time to stop in here?
Fritz.
Well, I had to unsaddle, and anyhow have ridden four and a half miles.
It was only the question whether I should feed the horse at Braun's at
the entrance where one gets merely water or----
Major.
Of course you are right about that.
Frau von Drosse (_stroking his hands_).
See what brown hands the boy has got.... I wonder how they can be
burned through the gloves ... Just look, Richard, he has the white mark
on his forehead, there where it is shaded. The last time, it was not
there. My boy, my boy! (_Bends down her head and kisses him on the
forehead_.)
(Fritz _closes his eyes and utters a low whimpering exclamation of
pain_.)
Frau von Drosse.
What was it? Did I hurt you, my boy?
Fritz (_with embarrassed laughter_).
Oh, no--no!
Major.
Control yourself, Fritz!
Fritz.
Yes, father!
Frau von Drosse.
Let him alone, Richard! Remember he has to leave directly.
Fritz (_staring straight before him_).
Yes, I must go directly.
Major (_shaking his head, examines him_).
Remarkable!
Agnes (_who returns with a bottle and glasses_).
There is the wine, dear Fritz.
Fritz.
Ah, if only the wine is there! (_Hurries to the table and pours the
wine_.) Does no one touch glasses with me?
Major.
Just wait, I will touch glasses with you.
Fritz.
Then long life to us, friends! May we live happily.... Long may we
live.... (_Musing_.) May we live as long as possible!
Major.
But you are not drinking.
Fritz.