The Joy Of Living (Es Lebe Das Leben) - novelonlinefull.com
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ACT II
_The same scenery as in the first act. The drawing-room is brightly lit, the curtain in the opening at back of stage drawn back, showing two other apartments, also brilliantly lit. In the nearest one a group of gentlemen are at the billiard-table. In the third room the rest of the guests have just left the table. For some minutes_ Beata _is seen among them_. Brachtmann, Prince Usingen _and_ von Berkelwitz-Grunhof _are just coming out of the billiard-room, talking together._
Brachtmann.
(_Coming forward with_ Usingen.) Prince, I want a word with you later--an important matter.
Prince.
And I want a word with you.
Brachtmann.
On the same subject, probably.
Prince.
Perhaps.
von Berkelwitz (_looking about him_).
Deuced fine--magnificent! You've got to come up to town to see this kind of thing.
Brachtmann.
How is it we never see you in the Reichstag nowadays, my dear fellow?
von Berkelwitz.
What's a man to do? I'm a country squire--I've got to work--and besides I'm too poor to live in town. A man has got to make a show here--keep up appearances--I--hang it, that champagne's gone to my head--what was I going to say? Oh, yes: well, you see, I've got four boys growing up; one is in the Rathenow Hussars--crack regiment, you know--I always look out for that sort of thing--but costs like the devil! The second is with the Pacific squadron on board the Princess William. _He_ doesn't cost as much except when he's ash.o.r.e. The third is to study forestry, and just now he's with his rifle-corps. The fourth is at college--Bonn--belongs to all the most expensive clubs--but smart, deuced smart! That's the chief thing. I expect all four to make their living out of the state, but meanwhile they're a confounded expense to me. You've no idea what it costs to keep Oscar alone in white gloves!
Prince (_to_ Brachtmann).
And these are the sources of German statesmanship!
von Berkelwitz.
What did you say, Prince?
Prince.
Nothing, nothing.
von Berkelwitz.
Not that we can't give you as good a dinner as you'll get here. But as to keeping up a countryseat and a town house and a shooting-box and a racing-stable--why, it's out of the question. I've had to mortgage my place--and the men's wages--coming round every Sat.u.r.day! well--well--I tell my boys--rich marriages--_that's_ the cure. And they _ought_ to, by gad! Good-looking fellows, you understand. What the deuce are we Prussian n.o.blemen for, if the state doesn't provide for us? Just answer me that!
Prince (_who has been studying the pictures_).
You ought to ask the Socialists that, Herr von Berkelwitz--ask it in the Reichstag, you know. It would be rather effective. (_Turns back to the pictures_.) A capital Sustermans.
Brachtmann (_smiling_).
After all, we're all looking out for ourselves.
von Berkelwitz.
And how have we succeeded? What have we landed proprietors accomplished? Oh, we can all talk loud enough; but when it comes to action, there we stand with our hands in our pockets.
Prince.
(_Who is turning over photograph-alb.u.ms on the table_.) Other people's pockets.
Brachtmann (_laughing_).
Prince--Prince!
von Berkelwitz.
(_In a low tone, to_ Brachtmann.) I say, is that fellow making fun of us?
Brachtmann.
He's ten times more of a Conservative than either of us.
von Berkelwitz.
He talks like a Radical.
Prince (_in a startled tone_).
Oh, the devil!
Brachtmann.
What's the matter?
Prince.
Isn't this the Countess's writing-table?
Brachtmann.
Yes.
Prince.
