Minna Von Barnhelm Part 27

MIN.

It was intended for an unfortunate man.

FRAN.

And what is the best part of it, the fellow considers you like himself. Oh! I must follow him, and take the money from him.

(Going.)

MIN.

Franziska, do not let the coffee get quite cold; pour it out.

FRAN.

He must return it to you; you have thought better of it; you will not play in partnership with him. Ten pistoles! You heard, my lady, that he was a beggar!

(Minna pours out the coffee herself.) Who would give such a sum to a beggar? And to endeavour, into the bargain, to save him the humiliation of having begged for it! The charitable woman who, out of generosity, mistakes the beggar, is in return mistaken by the beggar. It serves you right, my lady, if he considers your gift as--I know not what.

(Minna hands a cup of coffee to Franziska.) Do you wish to make my blood boil still more? I do not want any.

(Minna puts it down again.) "Parbleu, Madame, merit have no reward here"

(imitating the Frenchman).

I think not, when such rogues are allowed to walk about unhanged.

MIN. (coldly and slowly, while sipping her coffee).

Girl, you understand good men very well; but when will you learn to bear with the bad? And yet they are also men; and frequently not so bad as they seem. One should look for their good side. I fancy this Frenchman is nothing worse than vain. Through mere vanity he gives himself out as a false player; he does not wish to appear under an obligation to one; he wishes to save himself the thanks. Perhaps he may now go, pay his small debts, live quietly and frugally on the rest as far as it will go, and think no more of play. If that be so, Franziska, let him come for recruits whenever he pleases.

(Gives her cup to Franziska.) There, put it down! But, tell me, should not Tellheim be here by this time?

FRAN.

No, my lady, I can neither find out the bad side in a good man, nor the good side in a bad man.

MIN.

Surely he will come!

FRAN.

He ought to remain away! You remark in him--in him, the best of me--a little pride; and therefore you intend to tease him so cruelly!

MIN.

Are you at it again? Be silent! I will have it so. Woe to you if you spoil this fun of mine... if you do not say and do all, as we have agreed. I will leave you with him alone; and then--but here he comes.

SCENE IV.

Paul Werner (comes in, carrying himself very erect as if on duty), Minna, Franziska

FRAN.

No, it is only his dear Sergeant.

MIN.

Dear Sergeant! Whom does the "dear" refer to?

FRAN.

Pray, my lady, do not make the man embarra.s.sed. Your servant, Mr.

Sergeant; what news do you bring us?

WER. (goes up to Minna, without noticing Franziska).

Major von Tellheim begs to present, through me, Sergeant Werner, his most respectful compliments to Fraulein von Barnhelm, and to inform her that he will be here directly.

MIN.

Where is he then?

WER.

Your ladyship will pardon him; we left our quarters before it began to strike three; but the paymaster met us on the way; and because conversation with those gentlemen has no end, the Major made me a sign to report the case to your ladyship.

MIN.

Very well, Mr. Sergeant. I only hope the paymaster may have good news for him.

WER.

Such gentlemen seldom have good news for officers.--Has your ladyship any orders?

(Going.)

FRAN.

Why, where are you going again, Mr. Sergeant? Had not we something to say to each other?

WER. (In a whisper to Franziska, and seriously).

Not here, little woman; it is against respect, against discipline.

... Your ladyship!!!!!

MIN.

Thank you for your trouble. I am glad to have made your acquaintance.

Franziska has spoken in high praise of you to me.

(Werner makes a stiff bow, and goes.)

SCENE V.

Minna, Franziska

MIN.

So that is your Sergeant, Franziska?

FRAN. (aside).

I have not time to reproach her for that jeering _your_.

(Aloud.) Yes, my lady, that is my Sergeant. You think him, no doubt, somewhat stiff and wooden. He also appeared so to me just now; but I observed, he thought he must march past you as if on parade. And when soldiers are on parade, they certainly look more like wooden dolls than men.

You should see and hear him when he is himself.

MIN.

So I should, indeed!

FRAN.

He must still be in the next room; may I go and talk with him a little?

MIN.

I refuse you this pleasure unwillingly: but you must remain here, Franziska. You must be present at our conversation. Another thing occurs to me.