Minna Von Barnhelm Part 20

MAJ. T.

Werner!

WER.

What is the matter with you? What annoys you?

MAJ. T. (angrily striking his forehead, and stamping with his foot.) That... the four hundred thalers are not all there.

WER.

Come! Major, did not you understand me?

MAJ. T.

It is just because I did understand you! Alas, that the best men should to-day distress me most!

WER.

What do you say?

MAJ. T.

This only applies partly to you. Go, Werner!

(Pushing back Werner's hand with the money in it.)

WER.

As soon as I have got rid of this.

MAJ. T.

Werner, suppose I tell you that Frau Marloff was here herself early this morning!!!!!

WER.

Indeed?

MAJ. T.

That she owes me nothing now!!!!!

WER.

Really?

MAJ. T.

That she has paid me every penny--What will you say then?

WER. (thinks for a minute).

I shall say that I have told a lie, and that lying is a low thing, because one may be caught at it.

MAJ. T.

And you will be ashamed of yourself?

WER.

And what of him who compels me to lie? Should not he be ashamed too?

Look ye, Major; if I was to say that your conduct has not vexed me, I should tell another lie, and I won't lie any more.

MAJ. T.

Do not be annoyed, Werner. I know your heart, and your affection for me. But I do not require your money.

WER.

Not require it! Rather sell, rather p.a.w.n, and get talked about!

MAJ. T.

Oh! people may know that I have nothing more. One must not wish to appear richer than one is.

WER.

But why poorer? A man has something as long as his friend has.

MAJ. T.

It is not proper that I should be your debtor.

WER.

Not proper! On that summer day which the sun and the enemy made hot for us, when your groom, who had your canteen, was not to be found, and you came to me and said--"Werner, have you nothing to drink?" and I gave you my flask, you took it and drank, did you not? Was that proper? Upon my life, a mouthful of dirty water at that time was often worth more than such filth (taking the purse also out of his pocket, and holding out both to him).

Take them, dear Major! Fancy it is water. G.o.d has made this, too, for all.

MAJ. T.

You torment me: don't you hear, I will not be your debtor.

WER.

At first, it was not proper; now, you will not. Ah! that is a different thing.

(Rather angrily.) You will not be my debtor? But suppose you are already, Major? Or, are you not a debtor to the man who once warded off the blow that was meant to split your head; and, at another time, knocked off the arm which was just going to pull and send a ball through your breast? How can you become a greater debtor to that man? Or, is my neck of less consequence than my money? If that is a n.o.ble way of thinking, by my soul it is a very silly one too.

MAJ. T.

To whom do you say that, Werner? We are alone, and therefore I may speak; if a third person heard us, it might sound like boasting. I acknowledge with pleasure, that I have to thank you for twice saving my life. Do you not think, friend, that if an opportunity occurred I would have done as much for you, eh?

WER.

If an opportunity occurred! Who doubts it, Major? Have I not seen you risk your life a hundred times for the lowest soldier, when he was in danger?

MAJ. T.

Well!

WER.

But!!!!!

MAJ. T.

Why cannot you understand me? I say, it is not proper that I should be your debtor; I will not be your debtor. That is, not in the circ.u.mstances in which I now am.

WER.

Oh! so you would wait till better times. You will borrow money from me another time, when you do not want any: when you have some yourself, and I perhaps none.

MAJ. T.

A man ought not to borrow, when he has not the means of repaying.

WER.

A man like yourself cannot always be in want.

MAJ. T.