Roses: Four One-Act Plays Part 18

H'm! (_Laughs bitterly._) Even though I'm a couple of years younger than----, I've certainly acted more like a father to her. But you're probably right. (_Knocking._) Come in. (Bonath _enters._)

Bonath.

I've let the clerks go home. Have you any further orders, Herr Ebeling?

Ebeling.

You can go, too, Bonath. But tell my man to answer the door.

Bonath.

Very well, Herr Ebeling. Good evening. (Bonath _goes out._)

Ebeling.

Frau von Yburg, your daughter will return in a few minutes. Meanwhile, the scene has changed not altogether insignificantly. Do you still approve of that little private heart to heart talk--or not?

Frau v. Yburg.

Ah, my dear friend, I have such boundless confidence in you. You've been her good angel for so long. I don't hesitate for a moment to leave her in your hands. And you'll carefully observe all the conventions? Of course you will.

Ebeling.

But what can I say to her?

Frau v. Yburg.

You're so skilled in reading the heart. You'll have found a way to make her confess something before she's aware of it. Only let me beg of you--if you find nothing in what she says that gives you reason to hope, then please don't worry her. She has already suffered so much.

Ebeling.

Very well, then, I'll proceed upon the a.s.sumption that I have only to comply with the request that brought you to me to-day.

Frau v. Yburg.

If you would----

Ebeling.

Hush! (_Listens at the door, then pointing to the right._) May I ask you to go out this door? You know your way.

Frau v. Yburg.

And please, please, spare her delicacy. You've no idea how pure she is--in spite of----

Ebeling.

If I didn't know _that_-- (_Knocking. He opens the door, right._) Good-bye.

(Frau v. Yburg _goes out._)

Ebeling.

Come in.

The Servant.

A young lady is outside. She wants to know whether her mother is still here.

Ebeling.

(_Hurrying to the centre door--vivaciously._) Just fancy Fraulein Margot, your mother thought you'd no longer be coming, and has only just left. (Margot _appears at the centre door, and stands there, hesitating._) But won't you come in for a few moments?

Margot.

Gladly, if I may. (_Looking about irresolutely._) Only I don't know whether I----

Ebeling.

What, my dear child?

Margot.

It isn't usually mamma's way to go off without me.

Ebeling.

Then I'll take you home myself. You need have no fears.

Margot.

Oh, I'm not afraid.

Ebeling (_inviting her to sit down_).

Won't you----?

Margot.

I'd like to look around a bit first; may I? I couldn't a while ago.

Ebeling.

I'm only too happy to think that you take some interest in my home.

Margot.

Dear me, mamma has so often told me about it. Of late years her visits to you were our princ.i.p.al topic of conversation. I think I've known every tiny nook here for a long, long time.