Fritz.
Then don't ask me!... I can't say it, father.... I had rather bite off
my tongue. (_Pauses_.)
Major.
(_Goes to the door on the left, opens it, looks out, and closes it
again_.) Now speak! (_Wildly_.) Speak or----
Fritz.
For me, father, there is no more any "or." ... Whether you turn me out
or not, it is all the same.
Major (_softly, grinding his teeth_).
Do you wish to drive me mad, boy?
(Fritz _crying out_).
He whipped me--across the courtyard--out into the street--whipped me
like a beast!
Major (_after a silence_).
Where was your sabre? You could have run him through.
(Fritz _silent, with downcast eyes_.)
Major.
Where was your sabre, I ask you?
Fritz.
It was--not--at hand, father.
Major.
It was not at hand.... Hm!... Now I understand it all. Surely there is
nothing left to wish! And this catastrophe occurred when?
Fritz.
Yesterday evening, father!
Major.
At what time?
Fritz.
It was still--daylight!
Major.
Ha, ha!
Fritz.
Father, only don't laugh! Have pity on me!
Major.
Have you had pity on me?... Or on your mother? or on--on.... Just look,
look about you ... All that was made for you!... All that was waiting
for you.... For two centuries we Drosses have struggled and scraped
together and fought with death and devil merely for you.... The house
of Drosse was resting on your two shoulders, my son.... And you have
let it fall into the mire, and now you would like to be pitied!
Fritz.
Dear father, listen.... Since you have known it, I am quite calm....
What you say is all very true, but I cannot bear the responsibility
alone. Listen; when I came to you that time, on account of Agnes, my
whole heart was attached to her. So far as I was concerned, other men's
wives could go to the devil.
Major.
Did I drive you, then, after other men's wives?
Fritz.
Yes, father, otherwise what does that mean: "Get some experience,
ripen, do as your father and grandfather did"?... In the regiment, they
still call you the wild Drosse, and tales are still told of your former
love adventures.... They tell some such stories even of a late date....
For my part, I had not the least taste for such diversions. I used to
see in every woman who did not belong to me, a sort of holy thing....
That may have been a green way of looking at it, but you would have
allowed it; and with Agnes, I should have quietly----
Major.
Stop! Have pity! Stop!
Fritz.
See, now you say to me all at once, "have pity"--Father, I am a dying
man, I did not come here to make reproaches, but do you make none to
me!
Major.
(_Embracing him, and stroking his hair_.) My son--my all--my boy--I
don't permit--I will not----
Fritz.
Silence, silence, father! Mother should not hear that.
Major.
Yes, forgive me for giving way. It shall not happen again.... So how
does the affair stand now?
Fritz.