Morituri: Three One-Act Plays Part 25

(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 sc.r.a.ped 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.

I reported myself to the old man, that very night.

Major.

My G.o.d! Whatever did the old Frohn say?

Fritz.

Spare me that, father.... Of course, I obtained the usual furlough at once, until the discharge comes. Well, that doesn't matter now.... It does not last long, thus.... This morning, the court of honor had a sitting. After my hearing, I rode away at once, so as to lose no time.

I gave Mohammed to Hallerpfort in order to have him follow me as soon as judgment was p.r.o.nounced. He may be here at any moment.

Major.

Why did you summon a court of honor?

Fritz.