the beaver coat

7/25/2019 The Beaver Coat

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THE BEAVER COAT

A THIEVES' COMEDY

LIST OF CHARACTERS

VON WEHRHAHN, Justice.

KRUEGER, Capitalist in a small way.

DR. FLEISCHER.

PHILIP, his son.

MOTES.

MRS. MOTES.

MRS. WOLFF, Washerwoman.

JULIUS WOLFF, her husband.

LEONTINE, ADELAIDE, her daughters.

WULKOW, Lighterman.

GLASENAPP, Clerk in the Justice's court.

MITTELDORF, Constable.

Scene of the action: anywhee in the nei!h"o#hoo$ of Be%in.

THE FIRST ACT

A small, blue-tinted kitchen with low ceiling; a window at the let; at the right a

door o rough boards leading out into the open; in the rear mall an empty casing



rom which the door has been lited.!"n the let corner a lat o#en, abo#e which

hang kitchen utensils in a wooden rame; in the right corner oars and other boating

implements. $ough, stubby pieces o hewn wood lie in a heap under the window. Anold kitchen bench, se#eral stools, etc.!%hrough the empty casing in the rear a

second room is #isible. "n it stands a high, neatly, made bed; abo#e it hang cheap

photographs in still cheaper rames, small chromolithographs, etc. A chair o sotmood stands with its back against the bed.!"t is winter and moonlight. &n the o#en

a tallow-candle is burning in a candle-stick o tin. L&(%"( W&L)) has allen

asleep on a stool by the o#en and rests her head and arms on it. *he is a pretty, air girl o se#enteen in the working garb o a domestic ser#ant. A woolen shawl is tied

o#er her cotton +acket.!)or se#eral seconds there is silence. %hen someone is

heard trying to unlock the door rom without. ut the key is in the lock and a

knocking ollows.

MRS. &OLFF

[nseen, rom without.] Adelaide! Adelaide! [%here is no answer and a loud knocking is heard at

the window.] Ae "# $"i%& '" "(e% " %"')

LEOTIE

[ rowsily.] N", %", I&* %"' $"i%& '" +e a+#ed '-a' a!

MRS. &OLFF

O(e%, $il, " I&ll /"*e i% '-"#$- '-e i%d"!

[*he raps #iolently at the panes.

LEOTIE

[Waking up.] O-, i'& "#, *a*a! I&* /"*i%$ %"!

[*he unlocks the door rom within.

MRS. &OLFF

[Without laying down a sack which she carries o#er her shoulder.] W-a' ae you d"i%& -ee)

LEOTIE

[*leepily.] E0e%i%&, *a*a.

MRS. &OLFF

H" did "# $e' i% -ee, e-)

LEOTIE



Well, a%&' '-e 1e li%& "% '-e $"a' -ed)

MRS. &OLFF

2#' -a' d" "# a%' -ee a' -"*e)

LEOTIE

[ Awkwardly aected and aggrie#ed.] S" "# d"%&' a%' *e '" /"*e %" *"e a' all)

MRS. &OLFF

A, "# 3#' $" a-ead a%d (#' "% '-a' a! I&* " 4"%d "& '-a'! [*he lets the sack drop rom her shoulder.] 5"# d"%&' 1%" %"'-i%&, I &(("e, a+"#' -" la'e i'& $e''i%&) 5"# -# a%d $" +a/1 '"

"# *i'e.

LEOTIE

I' *a''e a -"le l"', d"%&' i', i4 I $e' +a/1 '-ee a li''le '"" la'e)

MRS. &OLFF

5"# a%' '" +e l""1i%& "#', &#%de'a%d) 5"# ee '" i' '-a' "# $", " "#&ll /a'/- i'!

LEOTIE

[%earully and deiantly.] I ai%&' $"i%& +a/1 '" '-e* (e"(le %" *"e, *a*a!

MRS. &OLFF

[ Astonished.] N"' $"i%&)6 [ "ronically.] O-, %"! T-a'& "*e'-i%& 7#i'e %e!

LEOTIE

Well, I d"%&' ha#e '" le' *el4 +e a+#ed '-a' a!

MRS. &OLFF

[ usy e/tracting a piece o #enison rom the sack.] S" '-e K#e$e a+#e "#, d" '-e) A, '-e ("" /-ild '-a' "# ae!8D"%&' "# /"*e "#%d *e i'- #/- 4""l 'al1! A e%/- li1e a

da$""%6! Hee, le%d a -a%d i'- '-i a/1, a' '-e +"''"*. 5"# /a%&' a/' *"e li1e a 4""l, e-)5"# "%&' $e' %" $""d "#' "& *e '-a' a! 5"# /a%&' lea% la9i%& a"#%d, -ee, a' all. [%hey hang up the #enison on the door.] N" I 'ell "# 4" '-e la' 'i*e6.

LEOTIE

I ai%&' $"i%& +a/1 '" '-e* (e"(le, I 'ell "#. I&d 3#*( i% '-e i0e 4i'!



MRS. &OLFF

See '-a' "# d"%&' /a'/- a /"ld d"i%& i'.

LEOTIE

I&ll 3#*( i% '-e i0e!

MRS. &OLFF

G" a-ead. Le' *e 1%" a+"#' i' a%d I&ll $i0e "# a -"0e " "# d"%&' *i i'.

LEOTIE

[*creaming.] D" I -a0e '" 'a%d 4" '-a', '-a' I $"''a da$ i% '" l"ad "& ""d a' %i$-'!

MRS. &OLFF

[ "n mock astonishment.] Well, %", '-a'& (e'' a4#l, ai%&' i') 5"# $"''a da$ i% ""d) S#/-

(e"(le, I 'ell "#!

LEOTIE

6 A%& I $e' 'e%' /"% 4" '-e -"le ea. I&* '" $e' * -a%d 4"':+i''e% 4" '-a', a* I)A%& %"' e%"#$- ("'a'"e a%d -ei%$ '" $" "#%d!

MRS. &OLFF

5"# %eed%&' $" 4#i%& a+"#' '-a', "# ill $il. Hee& '-e 1e; $", /#' "#el4 "*e +ead. A%&-e% "#&0e -ad e%"#$-, $" "# a, &#%de'a%d) T-e (l#* +#''e& i% '-e '"( /#(+"ad.

LEOTIE

[%akes a large loa o bread rom a drawer and cuts some slices.] A%& J#'e $e' 4"' /"% aea 4"* '-e S/-#l9e& a%&6.

MRS. &OLFF

D"%&' "# ' '" +e $"i%& '"" 4a'.85"# ai%&' $"i%& '" 'a i'- '-e* (e"(le ala; "# ai%&'

-ied "#' '" &e* 4"e0e.8Lea0e &e* "% '-e 4i' "4 A(il, 4" all I /ae.82#' #( '" '-e%, "#

'i/1 '" "# (la/e.8N" '-a' "# $"' "# <-i'*a (ee%' i% "# ("/1e', "# a%' '" #%aa, d" "#) T-a'& %" a. I -a0e deali%& i'- '-e* (e"(le, a%& I ai%&' $"i%& '" -a0e '-a' 1i%d

"& '-i%$ -eld a$ai%' *e.

LEOTIE

T-ee +i' "& a$ '-a' I $"' "% -ee)



MRS. &OLFF

5"#&e 4"$e''i%& '-e /a- "# $"')

LEOTIE

5e! Si= -illi%&. T-a' a a -"le l"'!

MRS. &OLFF

<a- i /a-! 5"# %eed%&' 1i/1.

LEOTIE

2#' i4 I /a% $" a%& *a1e *"e)

MRS. &OLFF

5e, 'al1i%&!

LEOTIE

N", ei%&! I /a% $" i% '" 2eli% a%d e /l"a1. E*il S'e/-"& +ee% d"i%& '-a' e0e i%/e Ne

5ea.

MRS. &OLFF

D"%&' /"*e 'elli%& *e a+"#' '-a' la''e%! I&d li1e '" $e' * -a%d "% -e, '-a'& all. I&d $i0e '-a'

/i''# a (ie/e "& * *i%d! 5"#&d li1e '" +e ("*"'ed i%'" -e /la, "#ld "#) T" $" ("'i%& all%i$-' i'- '-e 4ell") J#' '" +e '-i%1i%& "& '-a' *a1e *e 4eel '-a' I&d li1e '" +ea' "# " "#

/a%&' -adl 'a%d #(.8N" (a(a& /"*i%& a%& "#&d +e''e l""1 "#'!

LEOTIE

I4 (a(a '-a-e *e, I&ll #% aa. I&ll ee -" I /a% $e' al"%$!

MRS. &OLFF

S-#' #( %"! G" a%& 4eed '-e $"a'. T-e ai%&' +ee% *il1ed e' '":%i$-' %ei'-e. A%& $i0e '-e

a++i' a -a%d4#l "& -a.

L&(%"( tries to make her escape. "n the door, howe#er, she runs into her ather,but slips 0uickly by him with a perunctory E0e%i%&.

JL"* W&L)), the ather, is a shipwright. A tall man, with dull eyes and slothul

gestures, about orty-three years old.!1e places two long oars, which he has

brought in across his shoulder in a corner and silently throws down his shipwright'stools.



MRS. &OLFF

Did "# *ee' E*il)

JULIUS growls.

MRS. &OLFF

<a%&' "# 'al1) 5e " %") I -e $"i%& '" /"*e a"#%d, e-)

()LI)S

[ "rritated.] G" i$-' a-ead! S/ea* all "# a%' '"!

MRS. &OLFF

5"#&e a 4i%e, +a0e 4ell", ai%&' "#) A%& all '-e -ile "# 4"$e' '" -#' '-e d"".

()LI)S

[Closes the door.] W-a'& #( a$ai% i'- Le"%'i%e)

MRS. &OLFF

A, %"'-i%&.8W-a' 1i%d "4 a l"ad did E*il -a0e)

()LI)S

2i/1 a$ai%. W-a' d&"# #(("e -e '""1 i%)82#' -a'& #( i'- '-a' $il a$ai%)

MRS. &OLFF

Did -e -a0e -al4 a l"ad " a -"le l"ad)

()LI)S

[ )lying into a rage.] W-a'& #( i'- '-e e%/-, I a1 "#)

MRS. &OLFF

[&utdoing him in #iolence.] A%& I a%' '" 1%" -" +i$ a l"ad E*il -ad8a -al4 " a -"le +"a'4#ll)

()LI)S

T-a'& i$-'! G" "%! T-e -"le '-i%$ 4#ll.

MRS. &OLFF



S'! J#li#!

[*uddenly rightened she shoots the window latch.

()LI)S

[*cared and staring at her, is silent. Ater a ew moments, sotly.] I'& a "#%$ 4"e'e 4"*

Ri=d"4.

MRS. &OLFF

G" a%& /ee( #%de '-e +ed, J#li#. [ Ater a pause.] I4 "%l "# a%&' #/- a% a4#l 4""l. 5"#

d"%&' "(e% "# *"#'- +#' -a' "# a/' li1e a e$#la 'a*(. 5"# d"%&' #%de'a%d %"'-i%& "& #/-

'-i%$, i4 "# a%' '" 1%" i'. 5"# le' *e l""1 "#' 4" '-e $il. T-a' ai%&' %" (a' "& "#/"%/e%. T-a'& a (a' "4 * /"%/e%. Wi'- +" '-a'&d +e a di44ee%' '-i%$. I "#ld%&' " *#/- a

$i0e "# ad0i/e. 2#' e0e+"d& $"' '-ei "% /"%/e%.

()LI)S

T-e% d"%&' le' -e /"*e #%%i%& 'ai$-' a/" * a.

MRS. &OLFF

I $#e "# a%' '" +ea' -e 'ill -e /a%&' al1. D"%&' "# 'a1e %"'-i%& li1e '-a' i%'" "# -ead.D"%&' "# '-i%1 I&* $"i%& '" all" a%'-i%& li1e '-a'! I le' -e +e +ea'e% +la/1 a%& +l#e) We /&%

*a1e "# 4"'#%e i'- '-a' $il. I i- "# -ad e%e a+"#' "*e '-i%$!

()LI)S

Well, '-e% le' -e $" a%& ee -" -e $e' al"%$!

MRS. &OLFF

N"+"d %eed%&' +e /aed a+"#' '-a', J#li#. I ai%&' ai%& +#' -a' "#&ll li0e '" ee '-i%$. T-a'$il ill +e li0i%& #( "% '-e 4i' 4l"" "*e da a%d e&ll +e $lad '" -a0e -e /"%de/e%d '" 1%"

#. W-a' i i' '-e d"/'" aid '" *e) 5"# da#$-'e, -e a, i a -a%d"*e $il; -e&d *a1e a 'i

"% '-e 'a$e.

()LI)S

T-e% le' -e ee a+"#' $e''i%& '-ee.

MRS. &OLFF

5"# $"' %" ed#/a'i"%, J#li#. 5"% ai%&' $"' a 'a/e "4 i'. L"d, i4 i' -ad%&' +ee% 4" *e! W-a'

"#ld -a& +e/"*e "& '-"e $il! I +"#$-' &e* #( '" +e ed#/a'ed, &#%de'a%d) Ed#/a'i"% i '-e

*ai% '-i%$ '-ee da. 2#' '-i%$ d"%&' /"*e "44 all "4 a #dde%. O%e '-i%$ a4'e a%"'-e8'e(



+ 'e(. N" -e& i% e0i/e a%& '-a'&ll lea% -e "*e'-i%&. T-e% *a+e, 4" * (a', -e /a% $"

i%'" 2eli%. S-e& *#/- '"" "#%$ 4" '-e 'a$e e'.

[ uring 2$*. W&L))'* speech repeated knocking has been heard. (ow ALA"'* #oice comes in. Ma*a! Ma*a! Pleae, d" "(e%! 2$*. W&L)) opens

the door, ALA" comes in. *he is a somewhat o#ergrown schoolgirl o ourteenwith a pretty, child-like ace. %he e/pression o her eyes, howe#er, betrays premature

corruption.

W- did%&' "# "(e% '-e d"", *a*a) I %eal $"' * -a%d a%d 4ee' 4"9e%!

MRS. &OLFF

D"%&' 'a%d '-ee 3a++ei%& %"%e%e. Li$-' a 4ie i% '-e "0e% a%d "#&ll ""% +e a*. W-ee&0e

"# +ee% all '-i l"%$ 'i*e, a%-")

ADELAIDE

W-, did%&' I -a0e '" $" a%d 4e'/- '-e +""' 4" 4a'-e)

MRS. &OLFF

A%& "# 'aid "#' '" -"# d"i%& i'!

ADELAIDE

Well, I did%&' 'a' '" $" 'ill e0e%.

MRS. &OLFF

O-, "# e%' a' e0e%, did "#) I'& -al4 (a' 'e% %". 5"# d"%&' 1%" '-a', e-) S" "#&0e +ee%

$"%e '-ee -"# a%& a -al4. T-a' ai%&' *#/-. O-, %". Well %" "# 3#' li'e% $""d '" -a' I&0e$"' '" 'ell "#. I4 "# $" a%& 'a '-a' l"%$ a$ai%, a%d (e/iall i'- '-a' l"# /"++le "4 a Fieli'9

8'-e% a'/- "#' a%& ee! T-a'& all I a.

ADELAIDE

O-, I $#e I ai%&' '" d" %"'-i%& e=/e(' 3#' *"(e a"#%d a' -"*e.

MRS. &OLFF

N" "# 1ee( 'ill a%& d"%&' le' *e -ea %" *"e.

ADELAIDE

A%& e0e% i4 I d" $" "0e '" Fieli'9& "*e'i*e6.

MRS. &OLFF



Ae "# $"i%& '" 1ee( 'ill, I&d li1e '" 1%") 5"# 'ea/- *e '" 1%" Fieli'9! He %eed%&' +e (#''i%$

"%& 4a a I 1%". He& $"' a%"'-e 'ade e=/e('i%& 3#' e(aii%& -"e. W-e% a *a%& +ee% 'i/e

i% '-e (e%i'e%'ia6.

ADELAIDE

T-a' ai%&' '#e a' all6. T-a'& all 3#' a e' "& lie. He '"ld *e all a+"#' i' -i*el4, *a*a!

MRS. &OLFF

A i4 '-e -"le 0illa$e did%&' 1%", "# 4""l $il! T-a' *a%! I 1%" -a' -e i. He& a (i8

ADELAIDE

O-, +#' -e& 4ie%d e0e% i'- '-e 3#'i/e!

MRS &OLFF

I d"%&' d"#+' i'. He& a (. A%d -a'& *"e, -e& a >dee>%"#%/e!

ADELAIDE

W-a'& '-a'8a >dee>%"#%/e)

()LI)S

[ )rom the ne/t room, into which he has gone.] I&* 3#' ai'i%& '" -ea '" "d *"e.

[ ALA" turns pale and at once and silently she sets about building a ire in theo#en.

L&(%"( comes in.

MRS. &OLFF

[ 1as opened the stag. *he takes out the heart, li#er, etc, and hands them to L&(%"(.] T-ee,

-#, a- '-a' "44. A%& 1ee( 'ill, " "*e'-i%&ll -a((e% e'.

[ L&(%"(, ob#iously intimidated, goes at her task. %he girls whisper together.

MRS. &OLFF

Sa, J#li#. W-a' ae "# d"i%& i% '-ee) I $#e "#&ll $" a%& 4"$e' a$ai%. Did%&' I 'ell "# '-i

*"%i%& a+"#' '-e +"ad '-a'& /"*e l""e)

()LI)S

W-a' 1i%d "& +"ad)



MRS. &OLFF

5"# d"%&' 1%", e-) 2e-i%d '-ee, + '-e $"a':-ed. T-e i%d l""e%ed i' la& %i$-'. 5"# +e''e

$e' "#' '-ee a%& di0e a 4e %ail i%, &#%de'a%d)

()LI)S

A, '":*"" *"%i%&ll +e a%"'-e da, '"".

MRS. &OLFF

O-, %". D"%&' 'a1e '" '-i%1i%& '-a' a. We ai%&' $"i%& '" *a1e '-a' 1i%d "4 a 'a'8%"' e.

[ JL"* comes into the room growling.] T-ee, 'a1e, '-e -a**e! Hee& "# %ail! N" -#

a%& $e' i' d"%e.

()LI)S

5"#&e a +i' "44& "# -ead.

MRS. &OLFF

[Calling out ater him.] W-e% W#l1" /"*e -a' d&"# a%' *e '" a1)

()LI)S

A+"#' 'el0e -illi%& #e.

[ /it.

MRS. &OLFF

[Contemptuously.] A, 'el0e -illi%&. [ A pause.] N" "# 3#' -# " '-a' (a(a $e' -i#((e.

[ A brie pause.

ADELAIDE

[ Looking at the stag.] W-a'& '-a' a%-", *a*a)

MRS. &OLFF

A '"1.

[ oth girls laugh.

ADELAIDE



A '"1, e-) A '"1 ai%&' $"' -"%. I 1%" -a' '-a' i8'-a'& a 'a$!

MRS. &OLFF

Well, i4 "# 1%" - d&"# $" a%& a1)

LEOTIE

Did (a(a -""' i', *a*a)

MRS. &OLFF

T-a'& i$-'! G" a%d /ea* i' '-"#$- '-e 0illa$e? Pa(a& -"' a 'a$!

ADELAIDE

I&ll 'a1e *i$-' $""d /ae %"' '". T-a'&d *ea% '-e /"(!

LEOTIE

A, I ai%&' /aed "& ("li/e*a% S/-#l9. He /-#/1ed *e #%de '-e /-i% "%/'.

MRS. &OLFF

He /&% /"*e a%-". We ai%&' d"i%& %"'-i%& "%$. I4 a 'a$& 4#ll "& lead a%d la '-ee di%& a%&

%"+"d 4i%d i', -a' -a((e%) T-e a0e% ea' i'. Well %", i4 '-e a0e% ea' i' " e ea' i', i'&$"i%& '" +e ea'e% a%-". [ A brie pause.] Well %", 'ell *e? 5"# a a=ed '" /a ""d i%)

LEOTIE

5e, i% '-i 4"'! T" l"ad "& e$#la /l#*(! A%& '-a' -e% a (e"% i 'ied a a d"$, a' -al4

(a' %i%e i% '-e e0e%i%&!

MRS. &OLFF

A%& %" I #(("e '-a' ""d i li%& '-ee i% '-e 'ee')

LEOTIE

I'& li%& i% 4"%' "& '-e $ade% $a'e. T-a'& all I 1%".

MRS. &OLFF

Well %", +#' #(("i%& "*e+"d $"e a%d 'eal '-a' ""d) W-a'& $"i%& '" -a((e% i% '-e

*"%i%& '-e%)

LEOTIE



I ai%&' $"i%& '-ee %" *"e!

MRS. &OLFF

Ae '-"e /l#*( $ee% " d)

LEOTIE

T-e&e 4i%e, d "%e! [*he yawns again and again.] O-, *a*a, I&* '-a' 'ied! I&0e 3#' -ad '""1 *el4 '" (ie/e.

[*he sits down with e#ery sign o utter e/haustion.

MRS. &OLFF

[ Ater a brie silence.] 5"# /&% 'a a' -"*e '"%i$-' 4" all I /ae. I&0e '-"#$-' i' all "#' a +i'

di44ee%'. A%& '":*"" *"%i%& e /&% ee.

LEOTIE

I&0e 3#' $"' a '-i% a /a% +e, *a*a! M /l"'-e i 3#' -a%$i%& "% '" *e.

MRS. &OLFF

5"# -# %" a%d $" i% '" +ed " (a(a&ll aie a " e'. He ai%&' $"' %" #%de'a%di%& 4" '-i%$

li1e '-a'.

ADELAIDE

Pa(a ala (ea1 " #%ed#/a'ed!

MRS. &OLFF

Well, -e did%&' lea% '" -a0e %" ed#/a'i"%. A%& '-a'&d +e 3#' '-e a*e '-i%$ i'- "# i4 I -ad%&' +"#$-' "# #( '" +e ed#/a'ed. [ 1olding a saucepan o#er the o#en3 to L&(%"(3] <"*e %",

(#' i' i%! [ L&(%"( places the pieces o washed #enison into the sauce-pan.] S", %" $" '"

+ed.

LEOTIE

[4oes into the ne/t room. While she is still #isible, she says3] O-, *a*a, M"'e -a *"0ed aa

4"* K#e$e.

MRS. &OLFF

I $#e -e did%&' (a %" e%'.

LEOTIE



I' a 3#' li1e (#lli%& a '""'- e0e 'i*e, M. K#e$e a, +#' -e (aid. A%-", -e a, -e -ad

'" 1i/1 -i* "#'. He& #/- a li%& l"#d*"#'-ed 4ell", a%d ala " -i$- a%d *i$-' '"ad M.

K#e$e.

MRS. &OLFF

I4 I -ad +ee% i% M. K#e$e& (la/e I "#ld%&' -a& 1e(' -i* '-a' l"%$.

LEOTIE

2e/a#e M. K#e$e #ed '" +e a /a(e%'e "%/', '-a'& - M"'e ala a/' " /"%'e*('#"#.

A%d '-e%, '"", -e 7#aelled i'- D. Flei/-e.

MRS. &OLFF

Well, a%+"d '-a'&ll 7#ael i'- him6! I ai%&' ai%& a%'-i%&, +#' '-e* (e"(le "#ld%&' -a* a4l!

LEOTIE

T-e "%&' le' -i* /"*e '" '-e Flei/-e %" *"e.

MRS. &OLFF

I4 "# /"#ld $e' a /-a%/' '" "1 4" '-e* (e"(le "*e da!

LEOTIE

T-e 'ea' '-e $il li1e '-e a '-ei "% /-ilde%.

MRS. &OLFF

A%d -i +"'-e i% 2eli%, -e& /a-ie i% a '-ea'e.

&)L*O&

[ 1as knocked at the door repeatedly and now calls out in a hoarse #oice.] Ai%&' "# $"i%& '" -a0e

'-e 1i%d%e '" le' *e i%.

MRS. &OLFF

Well, I -"#ld a! W- %"'! Wal1 i$-' i%!

&)L*O&

[Comes in. 1e is a lighterman on the *pree ri#er, near si/ty years old, bent, with a greyish- yellow beard that rames his head rom ear to ear but lea#es his weather-beaten ace ree.] I i-

"# a 0e $""d e0e%i%&.



MRS. &OLFF

L""1 a' -i* /"*i%& al"%$ a$ai% '" 'a1e i% a "*a% a li''le +i'.

&)L*O&

I&0e $i0e #( 'i%& '-a' '-i l"%$ -ile!

MRS. &OLFF

Ma+e, +#' '-a'& '-e a i'& $"i%& '" +e a%-".

&)L*O&

T&"'-e a "#%&, "# *ea%.

MRS. &OLFF

W-a'&ll i' +e %e=')8Hee i'& -a%$i%&! A $a%d 4elle, e-)

&)L*O&

I 'ell "#, J#li# "#$-' '" +e l""1i%& "#' -a(. T-e& $e''i%& '" +e (e'' 1ee% a$ai%.

MRS. &OLFF

W-a' ae "# $"i%& '" $i0e # 4" i', '-a'& '-e *ai% '-i%$. W-a'& '-e #e "& 3a++ei%&)

&)L*O&

Well, I&* 'elli%& "#. I&* 'ai$-' 4"* G#e%a#. A%& '-ee I -ead i' 4" /e'ai%. T-e -"' Fi'9We+e. T-e 3#' a+"#' 4illed -i +ee/-e i'- lead.

MRS. &OLFF

W-a' ae "# $"i%& '" $i0e) T-a'& '-e *ai% '-i%$.

&)L*O&

[ )eeling the stag.] T-e '"#+le i I $"' 4"# "& '-e* +#/1 li%& a' -"*e %".

MRS. &OLFF

T-a' ai%&' $"i%& '" *a1e "# +"a' i%1.

&)L*O&



A%& I d"%&' a%' -e '" d" '-a'. T-a' "#ld%&' +e %" 3"1e. 2#' -a'& '-e $""d i4 I $e' '#/1 i'-

'-e '-i%$ -ee. I&0e $"''a $e' &e* i% '" 2eli%. I'& +ee% -ad e%"#$- "1 "% '-e i0e all da, a%&

i4 i' $"e "% 4ee9i%& '-i a, '-ee&ll +e %" $e''i%& al"%$ '":*"". T-e% I /&% i' i% '-e i/e i'-* +"a', a%& '-e% I&0e $"' '-ee '-i%$ 4" 4#%.

MRS. &OLFF

[ Apparently changing her mind.] Gil, "# #% d"% '" S/-#l9e. Sa -":dee:d" a%& -e& '"

/"*e #( a -ile, /a#e *"'-e -a "*e'-i%& '" ell.

&)L*O&

Did I a a I a%&' $"i%& '" +# i')

MRS. &OLFF

I'& all '-e a*e '" *e -" +# i'.

&)L*O&

Well, I&* illi%& '".

MRS. &OLFF

A% "%e '-a' d"%&' a%' i' /a% le' i' +e.

&)L*O&

I&ll +# '-i 4elle! W-a'& -e "'-)

MRS. &OLFF

[%ouching the #enison.] T-i -ee (ie/e ei$- a $""d '-i' ("#%d. E0e +i' "4 i', I /&% 'ell

"#. Well, Adelaide! 5"# a -ee. We /"#ld -adl li4' i' #(.

ADELAIDE

[Who had not been present at all.] I (e'' %ea (ai%ed *el4 li4'i%& i'.

&)L*O&

T-i'ee% -illi%& ill (a 4" i', '-e%. A%& I "%&' +e *a1i%& 'e% (e%/e "% '-a' +a$ai%!

MRS. &OLFF

[ Acts ama5ed. *he busies hersel at the o#en as though she had orgotten WL6&W'* presence.%hen, as though suddenly becoming aware o it again, she says3] I i- "# a 0e (leaa%' 'i(.



&)L*O&

Well. I /a%&' $i0e *"e '-a% '-i'ee%!

MRS. &OLFF

T-a'& i$-'. Le' i' al"%e.

&)L*O&

I&* 3#' +#i%& i' 4" '-e a1e "& "# /#'"*. G"d 'i1e *e dead, +#' i'& a '#e a I&* 'a%di%&-ee. I d"%&' *a1e that *#/- i'- '-e -"le +#i%e. A%& e0e% i4 I a a%'i%& '" a? 4"#'ee%,

I&d +e (#''i%& #( *"%e, I&d +e "#' "%e -illi%&. 2#' I ai%&' $"i%& '" le' '-a' 'a%d +e'ee% #. J#' "

"# ee * $""d i%'e%'i"%, I&ll a 4"#'ee%6.

I /a%&' $i0e %" *"e. I&* 'elli%& "# 4a/'.

MRS. &OLFF

T-a'& all i$-'! T-a'& all i$-'! We /&% $e' id "& '-i 'a$. We "%&' -a0e '" 1ee( i' 'ill *"%i%$.

&)L*O&

5e, i4 "%l %"+"d d"%&' ee i' -a%$i%& -ee. M"%e "#ld%&' d" %" $""d '-e%.

MRS. &OLFF

T-i 'a$ -ee, e 4"#%d i' dead.

&)L*O&

5e, i% a 'a(. I +elie0e "#.

MRS. &OLFF

5"# %eed%&' ' '" $e' a"#%d # '-a' a. T-a' ai%&' $"i%& '" d" no $""d! 5"# a%' '" $"++le #(e0e'-i%& 4" %"'-i%&! We "1 'ill e $"' %" +ea'-. H"# a%& -"# "a1i%& i% '-e %", %"' '"

(ea1 "& '-e i1, '-ee i% '-e (i'/- da1. T-a'& %" 3"1e, I 'ell "#.

&)L*O&

T-e "%l '"#+le i '-a' I $"' 4"# "4 &e* alead. O I&d a 4i4'ee% -illi%& 7#i/1 e%"#$-.

MRS. &OLFF

N", W#l1", e /a%&' d" +#i%e '"$e'-e '"da. 5"# /&% +e ea a%& $" a d"" 4#'-e. We 3#'

da$$ed "#el0e a/" '-e la1e 6 a -ai+ead'- a%& e "#ld&0e +ee% '#/1 i% '-e i/e. We



/"#ld%&' $e' 4"ad a%& e /"#ld%&' $e' +a/1ad. 5"# /a%&' $i0e aa "*e'-i%& "# $"' "

-ad.

&)L*O&

Well, -a' d" I $e' "#' "4 i' all, I a%' '" 1%"! T-i -ee li$-'e +#i%e ai%&' a %a'#al '-i%$.A%& ("a/-i%&, '-a'& a +ad 3"+. I4 "# all $e' %a++ed, I&d +e '-e 4i' "%e '" 4l i%. I +ee% "i%&

al"%$ '-ee 4"' ea. W-a'&0e I $"' '":da) T-e -e#*a'i98'-a'& -a'! W-e% I $e' #( "&

*"%i%& eal, I $"''a -i%e li1e a (#(( d"$. 5ea a%& ea I +ee% a%'i%& '" +# *el4 a 4#:/"a'. T-a'& -a' all d"/'" -a ad0ied *e '" d", +e/a#e I&* '-a' e%i'i0e. 2#' I ai%&' +ee%

a+le '" +# *e %"%e. N"' '" '-i da. A%& '-a'& a '#e a I&* 'a%di%& -ee.

ADELAIDE

[%o her mother.] Did "# -ea -a' Le"%'i%e aid)

&)L*O&

2#' a%-". Le' i' $". I&ll a i='ee%.

MRS. &OLFF

N", i'& %" $""d. Ei$-'ee%! [%o ALA".] W-a'& '-a' "# a 'al1i%& a+"#')

ADELAIDE

M. K#e$e -a +"#$-' a 4#:/"a' '-a' /"' (e'' %ea a -#%ded /"%. I'& a +ea0e /"a'.

&)L*O&

A +ea0e /"a')

MRS. &OLFF

Who +"#$-' i')

ADELAIDE

W-, M. K#e$e, I 'ell "#, a a <-i'*a (ee%' 4" M. K#e$e.

&)L*O&

I '-a' $il i% e0i/e i'- '-e K#e$e)

ADELAIDE

N"' *e, +#' * i'e, I ai%&' $"i%& i% e0i/e li1e '-a' a' all.



&)L*O&

Well %", i4 I /"#ld -a0e "*e'-i%& li1e '-a'! T-a'& '-e 1i%d "& '-i%$ I +ee% 'i%& '" $e' -"ld "4

all '-i 'i*e. I&d $ladl +e $i0i%& i=' /"% 4" i'. All '-i *"%e '-a' $"e '" d"/'" a%dd#$$i', I&d *#/- a'-e (e%d i' 4" 4#. I&d $e' "*e (lea#e "#' "4 '-a' a' lea'.

MRS. &OLFF

All "# $"''a d" i '" $" '-ee, W#l1". Ma+e K#$e&ll *a1e "# a (ee%' "4 '-e /"a'.

&)L*O&

I d"%&' #(("e -e&d d" i' 1i%dl. 2#'& I aid? I&* i%'ee'ed i% '-a' "' "& '-i%$.

MRS. &OLFF

I +elie0e "#. I "#ld%&' *i%d -a0i%& a '-i%$ li1e '-a' *el4.

&)L*O&

H" d" e 'a%d %") Si='ee%)

MRS. &OLFF

N"'-i%& le&% ei$-'ee%&ll d". N"' #%de ei$-'ee%8'-a'& -a' J#li# aid. I "#ld%&' dae -"

#( i'- i='ee%. N", i. W-e% '-a' *a% 'a1e "*e'-i%& li1e '-a' i%'" -i -ead! [ JL"* comes

in.] Well, J#li#, "# aid ei$-'ee% -illi%&, did%&' "#)

()LI)S

W-a'& '-a' I aid)

MRS. &OLFF

Ae "# -ad "& -eai%& a$ai% 4" a /-a%$e) 5"# aid "#el4? %"' #%de ei$-'ee%. 5"# '"ld *e

%"' '" ell '-e 'a$ 4" le.

()LI)S

I aid)6 O-, e, '-a' '-ee (ie/e "& 0e%i"%! T-a'& i$-'. H:*. A%& '-a' ai%&' a +i' '"" *#/-;

ei'-e.

&)L*O&

[%aking' out money and counting it.] We&ll *a1e a% e%d "& '-i. Se0e%'ee% -illi%&. I i' a

+a$ai%)

MRS. &OLFF



5"#&e a $ea' 4elle, "# ae! T-a'& -a' I aid e=a/'l? -e d"%&' -adl -a0e '" /"*e i% '-e d""

+#' a (e"% i 'a1e% i%!

&)L*O&

[ 1as unrolled a sack which had been hidden about his person.] N" -el( *e -""' i' i$-' i%-ee. [ 2$*. W&L)) helps him place the #enison in the sack.] A%& i4 + "*e /-a%' "# -"#ld

/"*e '" -ea "& "*e'-i%& li1e '-a'8-a' I *ea% i, 3#' 4& i%'a%/e8a84# /"a' li1e '-a', 4&

i%'a%/e. Sa, i=' " e0e%' /"%. I /"#ld aie '-a', a%& I "#ld%&' *i%d i%0e'i%& i'.

MRS. &OLFF

I $#e "# ai%&' i$-' i% "# -ead6! H" -"#ld we /"*e + a /"a' li1e '-a')

A MA'S VOICE

[Calls rom without.] M. W"l44! O-, M. W"l44! Ae "# 'ill #()

MRS. &OLFF

[*haring the consternation o the others, rapidly, tensely.] Sli( i' i%! Sli( i' i%! A%d $e' i% '-e

"'-e ""*!

[*he crowds them all into the rear room and locks the door.

A MA'S VOICE

M. W"l44! O-, M. W"l44! Ha0e "# $"%e '" +ed)

2$*. W&L)) e/tinguishes the light.

A MA'S VOICE

M. W"l44! M. W"l44! Ae "# 'ill #() [%he #oice recedes singing3]

@M"%i%$e:ed, *"%i%$e:ed,

T-"# il' -i%e -e% I a* dea:ead!@

LEOTIE

A, '-a'& "%l "ld @M"%i%$ed,@ *a*a!

MRS. &OLFF

[ Listens or a while, opens the door sotly and listens again. When she is satisied she closes the

door and lights the candle. %hereupon she admits the others again.] &Ta "%l '-e /"%'a+le

Mi''eld"4.



&)L*O&

T-e de0il, "# a. T-a'& %i/e a/7#ai%'a%/e 4" "# '" -a0e.

MRS. &OLFF

G" "% a+"#' "# a %"! H#!

ADELAIDE

Ma*a, Mi%" -a +ee% +a1i%&.

MRS. &OLFF

H#, -#, W#l1"! Ge' "#' %"! A%& '-e +a/1 a '-"#$- '-e 0e$e'a+le $ade%! J#li# ill

"(e% 4" "#. G" "%, J#li#, a%& "(e% '-e $a'e.

&)L*O&

A%& I aid, i4 "*e'-i%& li1e #/- a +ea0e /"a' was '" '#% #(, -8

MRS. &OLFF

S#e. J#' *a1e -a'e %".

&)L*O&

I4 '-e S(ee d"%&' 4ee9e "0e, I&ll +e $e''i%& +a/1 i%, a, '-ee " 4"# da 4"* 2eli%. A%& I&ll +e

li%& i'- * +"a' d"% '-ee.

MRS. &OLFF

2 '-e +i$ +id$e)

&)L*O&

W-ee I ala lie. Well, J#li#, '"ddle a-ead!

[ /it.

ADELAIDE

Ma*a, Mi%" -a +ee% +a1i%& a$ai%.

MRS. &OLFF

[ At the o#en.] O-, le' -i* +a1!



[ A long-drawn call is heard in the distance. @Fe "0e!@]

ADELAIDE

S"*e+"d a%' '" $e' a/" '-e i0e, *a*a!

MRS. &OLFF

Well, $"&% 'ell (a(a. He& d"% '-ee + '-e i0e.8[@Fe "0e!@] A%& 'a1e -i* -i "a. 2#' -e"#$-' '" le' W#l1" $e' a +i' "4 a 'a' 4i'.

ALA" goes out with the oars. )or a little while 2$*. W&L)) is alone. *he

marks energetically. %hen ALA" returns.

ADELAIDE

Pa(a& $"' -i "a d"% i% '-e +"a'.

MRS. &OLFF

W-" a%' '" $e' a/" '-e i0e '-i 'i*e "& %i$-')

ADELAIDE

I +elie0e, *a*a, i'& '-a' '""(id M"'e!

MRS. &OLFF

W-a') W-" i&' "# a)

ADELAIDE

I '-i%1 '-e 0"i/e a M"'e& 0"i/e.

MRS. &OLFF

[7ehemently.] G" d"%! Ra%! Tell (a(a '" /"*e #(! T-a' 4""l M"'e /a% 'a "% '-e "'-e ide.He d"%&' %eed '" /"*e %i44i%& a"#%d i% '-e -"#e -ee.

ALA" e/its. 2$*. W&L)) hides and clears away e#erything that could in any

degree suggest the episode o the stag. *he co#ers the sauce-pan with an apron.

ALA" comes back.

ADELAIDE

Ma*a, I $"' d"% '-ee '"" la'e. I -ea &e* 'al1i%& a&ead.

MRS. &OLFF



Well, -" i i' '-e%)

ADELAIDE

I&0e +ee% 'elli%& "#? M"'e.

2$. and 2$*. 2&%* appear in turn in the doorway. oth are o medium height.

*he is an alert young woman o about thirty, modestly and neatly dressed. 1e wearsa green orester's o#ercoat; his ace is healthy but insigniicant; his let eye is

concealed by a black bandage.

MRS. MOTES

[Calls in.] We %eal $"' "# %"e 4"9e%, M. W"l44.

MRS. &OLFF

W- d" "# $" al1i%& a' %i$-'. 5"# $"' 'i*e e%"#$- -e% i'& +i$-' da.

MOTES

I'& %i/e a%d a* -ee.8W-"& '-a' -" -a 'i*e + da)

MRS. &OLFF

W-, "#!

MOTES

I #(("e "# '-i%1 I li0e "% * 4"'#%e.

MRS. &OLFF

I d"%&' 1%"; I ai%&' ai%& -a' "# li0e "%.

MRS. MOTES

Hea0e%, "# %eed%&' +e " /". We i*(l a%'ed '" a1 a+"#' "# +ill.

MRS. &OLFF

5"#&0e a1ed a+"#' '-a' a $""d deal *"e&% "%/e.

MRS. MOTES

Ve ell. S" e&e a1i%$ a$ai%. A%'-i%$ "%$ i'- '-a') We -a0e '" (a "*e'i*e, "#

1%")



MRS. &OLFF

[ Astonished.] 5"# a%' '" (a)

MRS. MOTES

O4 /"#e, e d". Na'#all.

MOTES

5"# a/' a i4 "# ee 7#i'e "0e-el*ed. Did "# '-i%1 e&d #% "44 i'-"#' (ai%$)

MRS. &OLFF

I ai%&' $i0e% '" '-i%1i%& #/- '-i%$. I4 "# a%' '" +e " $""d '-e%. Hee, e /a% aa%$e i$-'

%". T-e a*"#%' i ele0e% -illi%&, i= (e%/e.

MRS. MOTES

O-, e. M. W"l44. We&e $"i%$ '" $e' *"%e. T-e (e"(le a"#%d -ee ill "(e% '-ei ee

ide.

MOTES

T-ee& a *ell "4 "a'ed -ae -ee.

MRS. &OLFF

2#%ed -ai! T-a'&d +e *"e li1el.

MOTES

Le'& 'a1e a l""1 a%d ee.

[ 1e is about to take the co#er rom the sauce-pan.

MRS. &OLFF

[ 8re#ents him.] N" %i44i%& &"#%d i% * ("'.

MRS. MOTES

[Who has obser#ed e#erything distrustully.] M. W"l44, e&0e 4"#%d "*e'-i%$, '"".

MRS. &OLFF

I ai%&' l"' %"'-i%&.



MRS. MOTES

T-ee, l""1 a' '-ee.

[*he shows her se#eral wire snares.

MRS. &OLFF

[Without losing her e0uanimity in the slightest.] I #(("e '-e* ae %ae)

MRS. MOTES

We 4"#%d '-e* 7#i'e i% '-e %ei$-+"#-""d -ee! S/a/el 'e%' (a/e 4"* "# $ade%.

MRS. &OLFF

L"d l"0e "#! T-e a*"#%' "4 ("a/-i%& '-a'& d"%e -ee!

MRS. MOTES

I4 "# ee '" 1ee( a -a( l""1"#', "# *i$-' a/'#all /a'/- '-e ("a/-e "*e da.

MRS. &OLFF

A, #/- '-i%$ i %" /"%/e% "& *i%e.

MOTES

I4 I /"#ld 3#' $e' -"ld "4 a a/al li1e '-a'. Fi', I&d $i0e -i* "*e'-i%$ '" e*e*+e *e +, a%d'-e% I&d *e/ilel '#% -i* "0e '" '-e ("li/e.

MRS. MOTES

M. W"l44 -a0e "# $"' a 4e 4e- e$$)

MRS. &OLFF

N", i% '-e *iddle "4 i%'e) T-e&e (e'' /a/e!

MOTES

[%o JL"*, who has +ust come in.] F"e'e Seidel -a %a++ed a ("a/-e a$ai%. He&ll +e 'a1e% '"'-e de'e%'i"% (i"% '":*"". T-ee& a% "44i/e i'- 'le a+"#' -i*. I4 I -ad%&' -ad *

*i4"'#%e, I /"#ld -a0e +ee% a -ead 4"e'e '":da. I&d $" a4'e '-"e d"$ e0e% *"e

e%e$e'i/all.

MRS. &OLFF



T-ee& *a% a "%e -a -ad '" (a 4" d"i%& '-a'!

MOTES

5e, i4 -e& a4aid. I&* %"'! I&0e de%"#%/ed 7#i'e a 4e alead. [ )i/ing his ga5e keenly on 2$*.

W&L)) and her husband in turn.] A%d '-ee ae a 4e "'-e -"e 'i*e i /"*i%$. T-e&ll #%'ai$-' i%'" * $i( "*e da. T-ee e''e "4 %ae %eed%&' '-i%1 '-a' I d"%&' 1%" '-e*. I

1%" '-e* 0e ell.

MRS. MOTES

Ha0e "# +ee% +a1i%$, (e-a(, M. W"l44) We&e " 'ied "4 +a1e& +ead.

MRS. &OLFF

I '-"#$-' "# a $"i%& '" 7#ae "# a//"#%'.

MRS. MOTES

O% Sa'#da, a I&0e '"ld "#, M. W"l44. M -#+a%d -a +ee% a(("i%'ed edi'" "4 '-e

*a$a9i%e @<-ae a%d F"e'.@

MRS. &OLFF

A-a, e. I 1%" -a' '-a' *ea%.

MRS. MOTES

2#' i4 I a#e "#, M. W"l44! We&0e *"0ed aa 4"* '-e K#e$e alead.

MRS. &OLFF

5e, "# *"0ed +e/a#e "# -ad '".

MRS. MOTES

We -ad '") H#++, li'e% '" '-i!8[*he gi#es a orced laugh.]8M.

W"l44 a '-a' e -ad '" *"0e 4"* K#e$e.

MOTES

[Crimson with rage.] T-e ea"% - I *"0ed aa 4"* '-a' (la/e) 5"#&ll 4i%d i' "#' "*e da.T-e *a% i a ##e a%d a /#''-"a'!

MRS. &OLFF

I d"%&' 1%" %"'-i%& a+"#' '-a'; I /a%&' a %"'-i%& a+"#' '-a'.



MOTES

I&* 3#' ai'i%$ '" $e' -"ld "4 ("i'i0e (""4. T-a', *a% -ad +e''e +e /ae4#l -ee I&*

/"%/e%ed8-e a%d -i +""* 4ie%d, D. Flei/-e. T-e la''e *"e e(e/iall. I4 I 3#' a%'ed '"a i'8"%e "d a%d '-a' *a% "#ld +e #%de l"/1 a%d 1e.

[ )rom the beginning o his speech on he has gradually withdrawn and speaks the

last words rom without.

MRS. &OLFF

I #(("e '-e *e% $"' '" 7#aeli%& a$ai%)

MRS. MOTES

[ Apparently conidential.] T-ee& %" 3e'i%$ i'- * -#+a%d. I4 -e de'e*i%e "% a%'-i%$, -ed"e%&' le' $" 'ill i'& d"%e. A%d -e 'a%d 0e ell i'- '-e 3#'i/e.82#' -" a+"#' '-e e$$

a%d '-e +ead)

MRS. &OLFF

[ $eluctantly.] Well, I -a((e% '" -a0e 4i0e e$$ li%& -ee. A%& a (ie/e "& +ead. [ 2$*. 2&%*

puts the eggs and the hal o a loa into her basket.] Ae "# a'i4ied %")

MRS. MOTES

<e'ai%l; "4 /"#e. I #(("e '-e e$$ ae 4e-)

MRS. &OLFF

A 4e- a * /-i/1e% /a% la &e*.

MRS. MOTES

[ 1astening in order to catch up with her husband.] Well, $""d:%i$-'. 5"#&ll $e' "# *"%e %e='

Sa'#da.

[ /it.

MRS. &OLFF

All i$-'; '-a'&ll +e all i$-' e%"#$-! [*he closes the door and speaks sotly to hersel.] Ge' "#''a

-ee, "#! G"' %"'-i%& +#' de+' i'- e0e+"d a"#%d. [&#er her sauce-pan.] W-a' +#i%e "&

'-ei i i' -a' e ea') Le' &e* ( i%'" '-ei "% a44ai. G" '" +ed, /-ild!

ADELAIDE

G""d %i$-', *a*a.



[*he kisses her.

MRS. &OLFF

Well, ai%&' "# $"i%& '" 1i (a(a $""d:%i$-')

ADELAIDE

G""d %i$-', (a(a.

[*he kisses him, at which he growls. ALA", e/it.

MRS. &OLFF

5"# ala $"''a a '-a' '" -e (e/ial!

[ A pause.

()LI)S

W- d"&"# $" a%& $i0e '-e e$$ '" '-e* (e"(le)

MRS. &OLFF

I #(("e "# a%' *e '" *a1e a% e%e* "& '-a' 4elle) 5"# 3#' $" a-ead a%& $e' -i* d"% "%

"#! I 'ell "#, '-a'& a da%$e"# 4elle. He ai%&' $"' %"'-i%& '" d" e=/e(' ( "% (e"(le. <"*e.Si' d"%. Ea'. Hee& a 4"1 4" "#. 5"# d"%&' #%de'a%d *#/- a+"#' #/- '-i%$. 5"# 'a1e /ae

"& '-e '-i%$ '-a' +el"%$ '" "#! Did "# -a0e '" $" a%& la '-e %ae i$-' +e-i%d '-e $ade%)

T-e a "#, a%&' '-e)

JULIUS [ Annoyed.] G" i$-' a-ead!

MRS. &OLFF

A%&, "& /"#e, '-a' 4""l "4 a M"'e -ad '" 4i%d &e* 4i' '-i%$. Hee %ea '-e -"#e "# ai%&' $"i%&

'" la %" *"e %ae a' all! 5&#%de'a%&) Ne=' '-i%$&ll +e '-a' (e"(le a e laid &e*.

()LI)S

A, "# '"( "# 3ai%&.

[ oth eat.

MRS. &OLFF

L""1 -ee, J#li#, e&e "#' "4 ""d, '"".

()LI)S



A%& "# a%' *e '" $" '-i *i%#'e, I #(("e)

MRS. &OLFF

I'&d +e +e' i4 e $"' +# i$-' "44.

()LI)S

I d"%&' 4eel * "% +"%e %" *"e. A%+"d '-a' a%' '" $" /&% $". I ai%&'.

MRS. &OLFF

5"# *e% 4"l1 ala d"e a -"le l"' "& 'al1i%&, a%& -e% i' /"*e '" '-e ("i%', "# /a%&' d"%"'-i%&. I&d "1 e%"#$- '" (#' '-e /"d "4 "# i% a -"le a%d da$ "# "#' a$ai% '"". I4 "# ai%&'

illi%& '" $" '":%i$-' + %" *ea%, -, "#&0e $"' '" $" '":*"" a%-". S" -a' $""d i i')

H" ae '-e /li*+i%& i"%) S-a()

()LI)S

I l"a%ed &e* '" Kal Ma/-%".

MRS. &OLFF

[ Ater a pause.] I4 "%l "# a%&' #/- a /"ad!8We *i$-' $e' a 4e l"ad "& ""d i% a -#,

a%& e "#ld%&' -a0e '" "1 "#el0e +l#e i% '-e 4a/e %ei'-e.8N", %" e "#ld%&' -a0e '" $"

0e 4a 4" &e*.

()LI)S

A, le' *e ea' a +i'e, ill "#)

MRS. &OLFF

[ 8unches his head amicably.] D"%&' ala +e " "#$-, I&* $"i%& '" +e $""d '" "# %" 4"

"%/'. 5"# a'/-. [ )etching a bottle o whiskey and showing it to him.] Hee! See) I +"#$-' '-a'

4" "#. N" "# /&% *a1e a 4ie%dl 4a/e, all i$-'.

[*he ills a glass or her husband.

()LI)S

[ rinks.] T-a'& 4i%e8i% '-i /"ld ea'-e84i%e.

MRS. &OLFF

Well, "# ee) D"%&' I 'a1e /ae "& "#)

()LI)S



T-a' a (e'' $""d, (e'' $""d all i$-'.

[ 1e ills the glass anew and drinks.

MRS. &OLFF

[ Ater a pause. *he is splitting kindling wood and eating a bite now and then.] W#l1"8'-a'

4elle8-e& a e$#la a/al8. He ala8a/'8a i4 -e a -ad #(.

()LI)S

A, -e&d +e''e -#' #(8-e i'- -i 'ade!

MRS. &OLFF

5"# -ead '-a' a+"#' '-e +ea0e /"a', did%&' "#)

()LI)S

Na, I did%&' -ea %"'-i%&.

MRS. &OLFF

[With assumed carelessness.] Did%&' "# -ea '-e $il 'ell -" M. K#e$e -a $i0e% K#e$e a4# /"a')

()LI)S

Well, '-e* (e"(le -a '-e *"%e.

MRS. &OLFF

T-a'& '#e. A%& '-e% W#l1" a ai%& 6 "# *#'a -ead 6 '-a' i4 -e /"#ld $e' -"ld "4 a /"a'

li1e '-a' "*e da, -e&d $i0e a *#/- a a e0e%' /"% 4" i'.

()LI)S

5"# 3#' le' -i* $" a%d $e' i%'" '"#+le -i "% el4.

MRS. &OLFF

[ Ater a pause, reilling her husband's glass.] <"*e %", "# /&% 'a%d a%"'-e.

()LI)S

Well, $" a-ead, $" a-ead! W-a' i%6!

2$*. W&L)) gets out a little note book and turns o#er the lea#es.



()LI)S

H" *#/- i i' e (#' aide i%/e J#l)

MRS. &OLFF

A+"#' '-i' /"% -a +ee% (aid "44.

()LI)S

A%& '-a'&ll lea0e 6 lea0e 6

MRS. &OLFF

T-a'&ll 'ill lea0e e0e%'. 5"# d"%&' $e' al"%$ 0e 4a' '-i a. Fi4', i=' /"%8all i% a

l#*(; i4 "# /"#ld add '-a' "%/'! T-e% '-e l"' "#ld +e (aid 4" all i$-'. T-e% *a+e e /"#ld

+"" a /"#(le "& -#%ded a%d +#ild #( a 4e (e'' ""*. We /a%&' 'a1e %" #**e +"ade

li1e '-i a%& i'& '-e #**e +"ade -a' +i%$ '-e *"%e.

()LI)S

Well, $" a-ead! W-a' ae "# 6

MRS. &OLFF

[ $esolutely.] M, +#' "#&e a l" /i''#, J#li#! W"#ld you'#e $"%e a%& +"#$-' '-a' l"') A%& i4

e a%'ed '" $" a%& ell i' %", e /"#ld +e $e''i%& 'i/e "0e -a' e (aid 4" i'! I $"' adi44ee%' 1i%d "4 a %a'#e! L"d, i4 "# -ad "%e li1e i'!

()LI)S

I&* "1i%& all i$-'. W-a'& '-e $""d "& all '-a')

MRS. &OLFF

5"# ai%&' $"i%& '" $e' 0e 4a i'- all "# "1.

()LI)S

Well, I /a%&' 'eal. I /a%&' $" a%& $e' i%'" '"#+le!

MRS. &OLFF

5"#&e 3#' '""(id, a%& '-a'& '-e a "#&ll ala +e. N"+"d -ee ai%&' +ee% 'al1i%& "& 'eali%&.2#' i4 "# d"%&' i1 %"'-i%&, "# d"%&' $e' %"'-i%&. A%& -e% "%/' "#&e i/-, J#li#, a%& /&% $"

a%d i' i% "# "% /aid$e, '-ee ai%&' %"+"d -a'& $"i%& '" a1 -ee "# $"' i'! S#e, i4 e

a '" 'a1e i' 4"* ("" (e"(le! 2#' %" #(("e eall8#(("e e e%' "0e '" '-e K#e$e



a%d (#' '-e '" l"ad "& ""d "% a lei$- a%& '""1 &e* i%'" "# -ed8'-e* (e"(le ai%&' %"

(""e "% '-a' a//"#%'!

()LI)S

W""d) W-a' "# 'a'i%& a4'e a$ai% %" i'- ""d)

MRS. &OLFF

N" '-a' -" -" "# d"%&' 'a1e %"'i/e "& %"'-i%&! T-e /&% "1 "# da#$-'e 'ill -e d"(;

'-e /&% ' a%& *a1e -e da$ i% ""d a' 'e% "&/l"/1 i% '-e e0e%i%&. T-a'& - -e #% aa. A%&

"# 'a1e '-a' 1i%d "& '-i%$ a%& a '-a%1 "#. Ma+e "#&d $i0e '-e /-ild a -idi%& a%d e%d -e

+a/1 '" '-e (e"(le.

()LI)S

S#e!8T-a'& -a'!8W-a' d&"# '-i%1 6

MRS. &OLFF

T-i%$ li1e '-a' -ad%&' "#$-' '" $" #%(#%i-ed. I4 a%+"d -i' *e, I&ll -i' -i* +a/1. T-a'& -a'

I a.

()LI)S

Well, did '-e $" a%& -i' '-e $il)

MRS. &OLFF

W- -"#ld -e +e #%%i%& aa, J#li#) 2#' %", '-ee ai%&' %" #e 'i%& '" d" a%'-i%$ i'- "#.

N" '-e ""d i li%& "#' '-ee i% '-e alle. A%& i4 I a '" a? all i$-', "# a+#e * /-ilde%,

I&ll 'a1e "# ""d8a %i/e 4a/e "#&d *a1e.

()LI)S

I "#ld%&' d" %" #/- '-i%$ 6 I d"%&' $i0e a8! I /&% d" *"e&% ea', '"". I&d li1e '" ee! I "#ld%&''a%d 4" %"'-i%& li1e '-a'. 2ea'i%&!

MRS. &OLFF

Well, '-e%, d"%&' 'al1 " *#/-. G" a%& $e' "# /"d. S-" '-e* (e"(le '-a' "# $"' "*e

/#'e%e! T-e -"le '-i%$ ill +e "0e i% a% -"#. T-e% e /&% $" '" +ed a%& i'& all i$-'. A%& "#d"%&' -a0e '" $" "#' i% '-e ""d '":*"". We&ll -a0e *"e 4#el '-a% e %eed.

()LI)S

Well, i4 i' lea1 "#', i'&ll +e all '-e a*e '" *e.



MRS. &OLFF

T-ee ai%&' %" ea"% - i' -"#ld. 2#' d"%&' a1e '-e $il.

MITTELDORF

[ )rom without.] M. W"l44! M. W"l44! Ae "# 'ill #()

MRS. &OLFF

S#e, Mi''eld"4! <"*e i$-' i%!

[*he opens the door.

MITTELDORF

[ nters. 1e has an o#ercoat o#er his shabby uniorm. 1is ace has a 2ephistophelian cast. 1is

nose betrays an alcoholic colouring. 1is demeanour is gentle, almost timid. 1is speech is slowand dragging and unaccompanied by any change in e/pression.] G""d e0e%i%&, M. W"l44.

MRS. &OLFF

I $#e "# *ea% '" a? G""d %i$-'!

MITTELDORF

I a a"#%d -ee "%/e +e4"e a -ile a$". Fi' I '-"#$-' I a a li$-', a%& '-e%, all "4 a #dde%,

i' a da1 a$ai%. N"+"d did%&' a%e *e %ei'-e. 2#' '-i 'i*e '-ee a a li$-' a%& %"

*i'a1e; a%& " I /a*e +a/1 "%/e *"e.

MRS. &OLFF

Well, -a' -a0e "# $"' 4" *e %", Mi''eld"4)

MITTELDORF

[ 1as taken a seat, thinks a while and then says3] T-a'& -a' I /a*e -ee 4". I $"' a *ea$e 4"

"# 4"* '-e 3#'i/e& i4e.

MRS. &OLFF

S-e ai%&' a%'i%& *e '" d" a-i%&)

MITTELDORF

[ $aises his eye-brows thoughtully.] T-a' -e d"e.

MRS. &OLFF



A%& -e%)

MITTELDORF

T":*"".8T":*"" *"%i%&.

MRS. &OLFF

A%& "# /"*e i% 'elli%& *e '-a' 'el0e "&/l"/1 a' %i$-')

MITTELDORF

2#' '":*"" i '-e *ii& a- da.

MRS. &OLFF

2#' a (e"% "#$-' '" 1%" '-a' a 4e da a-ead "& 'i*e.

MITTELDORF

T-a'& a 4a/&. 2#' d"%&' $" *a1i%& a %"ie. I 3#' (l#*+ 4"$"' all a+"#' i' a$ai%. I $"' " *a%

'-i%$ '" '-i%1 "4 i'- * ("" -ead, '-a' "*e'i*e I 3#' %a'#all 4"$e' '-i%$.

MRS. &OLFF

Well, Mi''eld"4, I&ll ' a%& aa%$e i'. We ala a $""d 4ie%d. 5"# $"' e%"#$- "% "#-"#lde, I #(("e, i'- '-e* 'el0e /-ilde% "& "# a' -"*e, e-) 5"# ai%&' $"' %" /all '"

*a1e "#el4 "#' "e&% "# ae.

MITTELDORF

I4 "# d"%&' /"*e i% '-e *"%i%&, I&ll -a0e a (e'' '"#$- 'i*e "4 i'!

MRS. &OLFF

I&ll /"*e. 5"# %eed%&' $" "i%&. T-ee, 'a1e a di%1. I $#e "# %eed i' '-i ea'-e. [*he gi#es him a glass o toddy.] I 3#' -a((e%ed '" -a0e a +i' "& -"' a'e. 5"# 1%", e $"''a 'a1e a

'i( e' '":%i$-'84" 4a' $eee "0e '" Te('". 5"# d"%&' $e' %" 'i*e i% '-e da. T-a' /a%&' +e

-el(ed i% '-i 1i%d "4 a li4e. P"" (e"(le i $"' '" "1 '-e*el0e i/1 da a%& %i$-', a%& i/- (e"(le lie i% +ed %"i%&.

MITTELDORF

I +ee% $i0e% %"'i/e. Did "# 1%" '-a') T-e 3#'i/e -a $i0e% *e %"'i/e.

I ai%&' 1ee% e%"#$- a4'e '-e (e"(le.

MRS. &OLFF



T-e a%' "# '" +e li1e a% "ld a'/- d"$, I #(("e.

MITTELDORF

I&d a'-e %"' $" -"*e a' all. W-e% I $e' '-ee, i'&ll +e %"'-i%& +#' 7#aeli%&. S-e 3#' di0e *e

/a9 i'- -e e("a/-e.

MRS. &OLFF

P#' "# 4i%$e i% "# ea!

MITTELDORF

A%& '-e% a *a% $"e '" '-e 'a0e% a +i', " '-a' '-e "ie d"%&' d"% -i* al'"$e'-e; a%& %" -e

ai%&' '" d" '-a' %" *"e %ei'-e! He ai%&' '" d" %"'-i%&. A%& %" I 3#' /"*e 4"* a +i' "4 a 'i*e

'-ee. A 4elle 'ea'ed '" a li''le 1e$.

MRS. &OLFF

5"# ai%&' $"i%& '" +e /aed "4 a "*a%) I4 -e /"ld, /"ld -ade; a%& i4 -e +ea' "#, +ea' -e

+a/1. <"*e -ee %"8"#&e 'alle&% *e8$e' *e d"% '-e* '-i%$ "44 '-e -el4. A%& J#li#,

"# $e' '-e lei$- ead! [ JL"* e/it.] H" "4'e% -a0e I $"' '" 'ell "#) [ 2"%%L&$) has

taken cords and pulley lines ront the high shel on the wall.] Ge' ead '-e +i$ lei$-! 5"# /&%

-a%d '-e* /"d i$-' d"% '" -i*.

()LI)S

[ )rom without.] I /a%&' ee!

MRS. &OLFF

W-a' /a%&' "# d")

()LI)S

[ Appears in the doorway.] I /a%&' $e' '-a' lei$- "#' al"%e! E0e'-i%& i all *i=ed #( i% a -ea(-ee. A%& '-ee ai%&' %"'-i%& '" +e d"%e i'-"#' a li$-'.

MRS. &OLFF

N" "#&e -el(le a$ai%8li1e ala. [ $apidly she puts shawls about her head and chest.]

5"# *#' ai', I&ll /"*e a%& le%d a -a%d. T-ee& '-e la%'e%, Mi''eld"4. [>MITTELDORFl"l 'a1e a la%'e% a%d -a%d i' '" MRS. WOLFF.] T-ee! '-a%1 "#. [*he puts the burning

candle into the lantern.] We&ll (#' '-a' i% -ee a%& '-e% e /&% $". N" I&ll -el( "# da$ "#' '-e

lei$-. [*he goes ahead with the lantern. 2"%%L&$) ollows her. "n the door she turns

around and hands the lantern to 2"%%L&$).] 5"# /&% /"*e a%& -"ld '-e li$-' 4" # a +i'!

MITTELDORF



[ 1olding the light and humming to himsel3]

@M"%i%$e:ed, *"%i%$e:ed 6@

THE C)RTAI FALLS

THE SECOD ACT

Court room o Justice 7&( W1$1A1(. A great, bare, white-washed room with

three windows in the rear wall. %he main door is in the let wall. Along the wall to

the right stands the long oicial table co#ered with books, legal documents, etc.;

behind it the chair o the +ustice. (ear the centre window are the clerk's chair and

table. %o the right is a bookcase o white wood, so arranged that it is within reach o the +ustice when he sits in his chair. %he let wall is hidden by cases containing

documents. "n the oreground, beginning at the wall to the let, si/ chairs stand in arow. %heir occupants would be seen by the spectator rom behind.!"t is a bright

orenoon in Winter. %he clerk 4LA*(A88 sits scribbling at his table. 1e is a

po#erty-stricken, spectacled person. Justice 7&( W1$1A1(, carrying a roll odocuments under his arm, enters rapidly. W1$1A1( is about orty years old and

wears a monocle. 1e makes the impression o a son o the landed nobility o

8russia. 1is oicial garb consists o a buttoned, black walking coat, and #ery tall

boots put on o#er his trousers. 1e speaks in what is almost a alsetto #oice andcareully culti#ates a military bre#ity o e/pression.

&EHRHAH

[ y the way, like one crushed by the weight o aairs.] M"%i%&.

+LASEA,,

Se0a%', i.

&EHRHAH

A%'-i%$ -a((e%ed, Glae%a(()

+LASEA,,

[*tanding and looking through some papers.] I&0e $"' '" e("', "# -"%"#8'-ee a 4i', "-,

e,8'-e i%%1ee(e Fie+i$. He +e$ 4" (e*ii"%, "# -"%"#, '" -a0e *#i/ a%d da%/i%$ a'

-i i%% %e=' S#%da.

&EHRHAH



I%&' '-a' 6 (e-a( "# /a% 'ell *e. Fie+i$) T-ee a "*e "%e -" e/e%'l e%'ed -i

-all6)

+LASEA,,

T" '-e li+eal. #i'e i$-', "# -"%"#.

&EHRHAH

T-i a*e Fie+i$)

+LASEA,,

5e, * l"d.

&EHRHAH

We&ll -a0e '" (#' a /-e/1:ei% "% -i* 4" a -ile.

%he constable 2"%%L&$) enters.

MITTELDORF

Se0a%', * l"d.

&EHRHAH

Li'e% -ee? "%/e a%d 4" all8"44i/iall I a* i*(l '-e 3#'i/e.

MITTELDORF

5e, i. A "# i-, *8"# -"%"#, I *ea%' '" a.

&EHRHAH

I i- "# "#ld ' '" #%de'a%d '-i 4a/'? * +ei%$ a +a"% i (#el

+ '-e a. I %"', a' all e0e%', '" +e /"%ideed -ee. [%o4LA*(A88.] N" I&d li1e '" -ea 4#'-e, (leae. Wa%&' '-e a#'-"

M"'e -ee)

+LASEA,,

5e, "# -"%"#.

&EHRHAH

A-a! S" -e was -ee! I /"%4e '-a' I a* 0e /#i"#. I -"(e '-a' i' a -i i%'e%'i"% '" /"*e +a/1)



+LASEA,,

He i%'e%ded '" +e +a/1 -ee a+"#' -al4 (a' ele0e%.

&EHRHAH

Did -e + a% /-a%/e 'ell "# a%'-i%$)

+LASEA,,

He /a*e i% '-e *a''e "4 D. Flei/-e.

&EHRHAH

Well, %", "# *a a ell 'ell *e8ae "# a/7#ai%'ed i'- '-i D.

Flei/-e)

+LASEA,,

All I 1%" i '-a' -e li0e i% '-e Villa K#e$e.

&EHRHAH

A%d -" l"%$ -a -e +ee% li0i%$ i% '-i (la/e)

+LASEA,,

Well, I&0e +ee% -ee i%/e Mi/-ael*a.

&EHRHAH

T" +e #e, "# /a*e -ee a' '-e a*e 'i*e i'- *e; a+"#' 4"# *"%'- a$".

+LASEA,,

[ Looking toward 2"%%L&$) or inormation.] F"* -a' I -ea '-e *a% -a +ee% li0i%$ -ee

a+"#' '" ea.

&EHRHAH

[%o 2"%%L&$).] I d"%&' #(("e "# /a% $i0e # a% i%4"*a'i"%)

MITTELDORF

2e$$i%& "# (ad"%, -e /a*e Mi/-ael*a a ea a$".

&EHRHAH



A' '-a' 'i*e -e *"0ed -ee)

MITTELDORF

E=a/'l, "# -"%"#84"* 2eli%.

&EHRHAH

Ha0e "# a% *"e i%'i*a'e i%4"*a'i"% a+"#' '-i i%di0id#al)

MITTELDORF

All I 1%" i -i +"'-e i /a-ie "4 a '-ea'e.

&EHRHAH

I did%&' a1 4" i%4"*a'i"% /"%/e%i%$ -i +"'-e! W-a' i -i "//#(a'i"%)8W-a' d"e -e

-i*el4 d") W-a' i -e)

MITTELDORF

I d"%&' 1%" a I /a% a a%'-i%& (a'i/#la. Pe"(le d" a '-a' -e& i/1. I #(("e -e #44e4"* dia+e'e.

&EHRHAH

I&* 7#i'e i%di44ee%' a '" '-e /-aa/'e "4 -i *alad. He /a% ea' #( i4 i' a*#e -i*. What

i -e)

+LASEA,,

[*hrugging his shoulders.] He /all -i*el4 a 4ee (ea i% /-"la-i(.

&EHRHAH

La%/e! La%/e! N"' (ea! A 4ee la%/e.

+LASEA,,

T-e +""1+i%de H#$1 ala d"e "1 4" -i*; -e -a "*e +""1 +"#%d e0e ee1.

&EHRHAH

I "#ld%&' *i%d eei%$ -a' a% i%di0id#al "4 '-a' 1i%d ead.

+LASEA,,

T-e ("'*a% '-i%1 -e *#' 'a1e i% a+"#' 'e%' %e(a(e. De*"/a'i/ "%e, '"".



&EHRHAH

5"# *a #**"% H#$1 '" '-i /"#' "*e 'i*e.

+LASEA,,

Ri$-' aa)

&EHRHAH

N", a' a *"e /"%0e%ie%' 'i*e. T":*"" " '-e %e=' da. Le' -i* +i%$ a 4e "4 '-e +""1 i%7#e'i"% i'- -i*. [%o 2"%%L&$).] 5"# ee* '" 'a1e %a( all da. O (e-a( '-e *a% -a

$""d /i$a a%d 1%" -" '" i%0e' '-e*!

MITTELDORF

5"# -"%"#6!

&EHRHAH

Ne0e *i%d! Ne0e *i%d! I ill i%(e/' '-e %e/ea (e"% *el4. M -"%"#a+le (ede/e" -a (e*i''ed a 'a'e "4 a44ai '" "+'ai% '-a'6! We ill /-a%$e all '-a' + de$ee8

I' i i*(l di$a/e4#l 4" a ("li/e "44i/ial '" (e*i' -i*el4 '" +e de/ei0ed + a% "%e. T-a' i,

"4 /"#e, e%'iel +e"%d "# /"*(e-e%i"%. [%o 4LA*(A88.] Did%&' M"'e a a%'-i%$de4i%i'e)

+LASEA,,

I /a%&' a '-a' -e did8%"'-i%$ de4i%i'e. He a "4 '-e "(i%i"% '-a' "# -"%"# ai%4"*ed6.

&EHRHAH

I% a 0e $e%eal a, I a*. I -a0e -ad * ee "% '-e *a% i% 7#e'i"% 4" "*e 'i*e8"% '-iD. Flei/-e I *ea%. M. M"'e i*(l /"%4i*ed *e i% * "% e%'iel /"e/' 3#d$*e%' "4

-i (e/#lia /-aa/'e.8W-a' 1i%d "4 a e(#'a'i"% -a M"'e -i*el4) [4LA*(A88 and

MITTELDORF e=/-a%$e $la%/e a%d GLASENAPP -#$ -i -"#lde.>] Li0e la$el "%/edi', e-)

+LASEA,,

He a -e -a a (e%i"%.

&EHRHAH

Pe%i"%)

+LASEA,,



Well, "# 1%" -e $"' -"' i% '-e ee.

&EHRHAH

S" -i (e%i"% i eall (aid a da*a$e.

+LASEA,,

2e$$i%& "# -"%"#& (ad"%, +#' i4 i'& a 7#e'i"% "4 da*a$e '-e *a% i%4li/' *"e '-a% -e&e0e e/ei0ed. N"+"d& e0e ee% -i* -a0e a (e%% 4" a%'-i%$.

&EHRHAH

[ Amused.] I '-ee a%'-i%$ ele "4 i*("'a%/e)

+LASEA,,

N"'-i%$ +#' *i%" *a''e, "# -"%"#8"*e+"d $i0i%$ %"'i/e8

&EHRHAH

T-a'&ll d"; '-a'&ll d". D" "# -a((e% e0e '" -a0e -ead a% e("' '" '-e e44e/' '-a' '-i D.Flei/-e d"e %"' $#ad -i '"%$#e i'- (a'i/#la /ae)

+LASEA,,

N"' '-a' I 1%" "4 a' '-i *"*e%'.

&EHRHAH

2e/a#e '-a' i '-e i%4"*a'i"% '-a' -a /"*e '" *e. He i aid '" -a0e *ade ille$al e*a1

/"%/e%i%$ a %#*+e "4 e=al'ed (e"%a$e. H"e0e, all '-a' ill a((ea i% $""d 'i*e. We /a%e' '" "1 %". Mi''eld"4, -a0e "# a%'-i%$ '" e("')

MITTELDORF

T-e 'ell *e '-a' a '-e4' -a +ee% /"**i''ed d#i%$ '-e %i$-'.

&EHRHAH

A '-e4') W-ee)

MITTELDORF

I% '-e Villa K#e$e.

&EHRHAH



W-a' -a +ee% '"le%)

MITTELDORF

S"*e 4ie""d.

&EHRHAH

La' %i$-', " -e%)

MITTELDORF

J#' la' %i$-'.

&EHRHAH

F"* -"* d"e "# i%4"*a'i"% /"*e)

MITTELDORF

M i%4"*a'i"%) I' /"*e 4"* 6 4"*6.

&EHRHAH

Well, 4"* -"*) O#' i'- i'!

MITTELDORF

I -ead i' 4"*8I $"' i' 4"* D. Flei/-e.

&EHRHAH

A-a! 5"#&e i% '-e -a+i' '-e% "4 /"%0ei%$ i'- -i*)

MITTELDORF

M. K#e$e '"ld *e a+"#' i' -i*el4 '"".

&EHRHAH

T-e *a% i a %#ia%/e i'- -i (e(e'#al /"*(lai%'. He i'e *e a+"#' '-ee le''e a ee1.Ei'-e -e -a +ee% /-ea'ed, " "*e "%e -a +"1e% -i 4e%/e, " ele "*e "%e -a 'e(aed "%-i ("(e'. N"'-i%$ +#' "%e a%%"a%/e a4'e a%"'-e.

MOTES

[ nters. 1e laughs almost continually in a ner#ous way.] 2e$ '" +id "# a $""d *"%i%$, "#

-"%"#.



&EHRHAH

A-, '-ee "# ae. Ve $lad "# /a*e i%. 5"# /a% -el( *e "#' i'- "*e i%4"*a'i"% a' "%/e. A

'-e4' i aid '" -a0e +ee% /"**i''ed a' '-e Villa K#e$e.

MOTES

I d"%&' li0e '-ee a% l"%$e.

&EHRHAH

A%d %"'-i%$ -a /"*e '" "# ea ei'-e)

MOTES

O-, I -ead "*e'-i%$ a+"#' i', +#' %"'-i%$ de4i%i'e. A I a 3#' (ai%$ + '-e Villa I a

'-e* +"'- l""1i%$ 4" 'a/e i% '-e %".

&EHRHAH

I '-a' ") D. Flei/-e i ai'i%$ -i*. I 'a1e i' 4" $a%'ed '-e% '-a' '-e&e (e'' '-i/1'"$e'-e)

MOTES

I%e(aa+le i% e0e e%e, "# -"%"#.

&EHRHAH

A-a! A 4a a Flei/-e i /"%/e%ed8-e i%'ee' *e *"' "4 all. Ta1e a ea', (leae. I /"%4e

'-a' I did%&' lee( *"e '-a% -al4 '-e %i$-'. T-i *a''e i*(l "#ld%&' le' *e lee(. T-e le''e'-a' "# "'e *e e=/i'ed *e '" a% e='a"di%a de$ee.8T-a' i a *a''e "4 'e*(ea*e%', '"

+e #e. T-e l#*+e "4 * (ede/e" "#ld /a/el -a0e +ee% di'#+ed.8A 4a a I a*

/"%/e%ed I -a0e *ade #( * *i%d, " '" (ea1, '" $" '-e -"le a.8I' i * 4#%/'i"% -ee '"*a1e /ae4#l 'e' a%d '" e='e*i%a'e #%deia+le ele*e%'.8U%de '-e ("'e/'i"% "4 *

-"%"#a+le (ede/e" '-e (-ee "4 "# a/'i0i' -a +e/"*e a e/e('a/le 4" e4#e "4 0ai"#

1i%d? li0e '-a' /a%%"' +ea '-e li$-'8"#'laed i%di0id#al, e%e*ie "4 "al' a%d "4 '-eeal*. T-ee (e"(le *#' +e *ade '" #44e.8A 4" "#el4, M. M"'e, "# ae a% a#'-")

MOTES

I i'e "% #+3e/' /"%%e/'ed i'- 4"e' a%d $a*e.

&EHRHAH

I% '-e a(("(ia'e 'e/-%i/al 3"#%al, I 'a1e i'. A propos? d" "# *a%a$e '" *a1e a li0i%$ '-a'

a)



MOTES

I4 "%e i ell 1%"%, i' /a% +e d"%e. I *a $a'e4#ll a '-a' I ea% a% e=/elle%' /"*(e'e%/.

&EHRHAH

S" "# ae a 4"e'e + ("4ei"%)

MOTES

I '#died a' '-e a/ade*, "# -"%"#, a%d (##ed * '#die i% E+ealde. S-"'l +e4"e '-e4i%al e=a*i%a'i"% I *e' i'- '-i *i4"'#%e6.

&EHRHAH

A-, e; I ee "# ea a +a%da$e.

MOTES

I l"' a% ee -ile -#%'i%$. S"*e +id -"' 4le i%'" * i$-' ee. T-e e("%i+ili' 4" '-e

a//ide%' /"#ld %"', #%4"'#%a'el, +e (la/ed. A%d " I -ad '" $i0e #( * /aee.

&EHRHAH

T-e% "# d" %"' e/ei0e a (e%i"%)

MOTES

N". 2#' I -a0e 4"#$-' * a '-"#$- (e'' ell %". M %a*e i $e''i%$ '" +e 1%"% i% a$""d *a% 7#a'e.

&EHRHAH

H:*.8Ae "# + a% /-a%/e a/7#ai%'ed i'- * +"'-e:i%:la)

MOTES

5e, i%deed8<-ie4 F"e'e 0"% Wa/-*a%%. I /"e("%d a $""d deal i'- -i* a%d

4#'-e*"e e ae 4ell" *e*+e "4 '-e "/ie' 4" '-e +eedi%$ "4 ("i%'e.

&EHRHAH

[*omewhat relie#ed.] A-, " "# ae eall a/7#ai%'ed i'- -i*) I&* 0e $lad i%deed '" -ea

'-a'. T-a' *a1e '-e -"le *a''e eaie "4 ad3#'*e%' a%d la a 4"#%da'i"% 4" *#'#al/"%4ide%/e. I' e0e '" e*"0e a% ("i+le "+'a/le.85"# "'e *e i% "# le''e, "# e/all,

'-a' "# -ad -ad '-e "(("'#%i' "4 "+e0i%$ '-i D. Flei/-e. N" 'ell *e, (leae, -a' "#

1%".



MOTES

[Coughs.] W-e% I8a+"#' a ea a$"8'""1 #( * eide%/e i% '-e Villa K#e$e, I -ad %a'#all

%" #(i/i"% "4 '-e /-aa/'e "4 '-e (e"(le i'- -"* I a '" dell #%de "%e ""4.

&EHRHAH

5"% ee a/7#ai%'ed i'- %ei'-e K#e$e %" Flei/-e)

MOTES

N"; +#' "# 1%" -" '-i%$ $". Li0i%$ i% "%e -"#e i'- '-e* I /"#ld%&' 1ee( '" *el4

e%'iel.

&EHRHAH

A%d -a' 1i%d "4 (e"(le 0ii'ed '-e -"#e)

MOTES

[With a signiicant gesture.] A-!

&EHRHAH

I #%de'a%d.

MOTES

T"*, Di/1 a%d Ha8de*"/a', "4 /"#e.

&EHRHAH

Wee e$#la *ee'i%$ -eld)

MOTES

E0e T-#da, " 4a a I /"#ld lea%.

&EHRHAH

T-a' ill /e'ai%l +ea a'/-i%$.8A%d "# %" l"%$e a"/ia'e i'- '-"e (e"(le)

MOTES

A ("i%' a ea/-ed -ee i%'e/"#e i'- '-e* +e/a*e i*("i+le, "# -"%"#.

&EHRHAH



5"# ee e(elled, e-)

MOTES

T-e -"le +#i%e +e/a*e #''el e(#li0e '" *e.

&EHRHAH

T-e #%la4#l a'*"(-ee '-a' "+'ai%ed '-ee, '-e i*(#de%' 3eei%$ a' e=al'ed (e"%a$e8all'-a', I 'a1e i', "# /"#ld %" l"%$e e%d#e)

MOTES

I 'aed i*(l +e/a#e I '-"#$-' i' *i$-' e0e "*e $""d (#("e.

&EHRHAH

2#' 4i%all "# $a0e %"'i/e a4'e all)

MOTES

I *"0ed "#', e, "# -"%"#.

&EHRHAH

A%d 4i%all "# *ade #( "# *i%d '"8

MOTES

I /"%ideed i' * d#'8

&EHRHAH

T" l"d$e %"'i/e i'- '-e a#'-"i'ie.8I /"%ide '-a' 0e "'- i% "#.8S" -e #ed a /e'ai%

1i%d "4 e=(ei"%8e ill *a1e a e/"d "4 all '-a' la'e, "4 /"#e8a /e'ai% 1i%d "4

e=(ei"% i% e4ee%/e '" a (e"%a$e -"e e=al'ed 'a'i"% de*a%d "# e0ee%/e.

MOTES

He /e'ai%l did '-a', "# -"%"#.

&EHRHAH

5"# "#ld +e illi%$, i4 %e/ea, '" /"%4i* '-a' + "a'-.

MOTES

I "#ld +e illi%$ '" /"%4i* i'.



&EHRHAH

I% 4a/', "# ill +e "+li$ed '" *a1e #/- /"%4i*a'i"%.

MOTES

5e, "# -"%"#.

&EHRHAH

O4 /"#e i' "#ld +e +e' i4 e /"#ld ("/#e a% addi'i"%al i'%e.

MOTES

I "#ld -a0e '" l""1 a+"#'. T-e '"#+le i, '-"#$-, '-a' '-e *a% i 0e ("di$al "4 -i *"%e.

&EHRHAH

A-, 3#' ai' a *i%#'e. K#e$e i /"*i%$ i% %". I ill 4i' a''e%d '" -i +#i%e. A' all e0e%'

I a* 0e $a'e4#l '" "# 4" "# a/'i0e ai'a%/e. O%e i a+"l#'el de(e%de%' "% #/-

ai'a%/e i4 "%e deie '" a//"*(li- a%'-i%$ %"ada.

*R)E+ER

[ nters hastily and e/citedly.] O L"d, O L"d! G""d da, "# -"%"#.

&EHRHAH

[%o 2&%*.] Pad"% *e 3#' a *"*e%'. [ "n an arrogant and in0uisitorial tone to 6$4$.]W-a' i i' "# a%')

6$4$ is a small man, somewhat hard o hearing and nearly se#enty years old. 1e is slightly bowed with age; his let shoulder hangs somewhat. &therwise he is

still #ery #igorous and emphasises his remarks by #iolent gesticulations. 1e wears a

ur cap which he is now holding in his hand, a brown winter o#ercoat and a thick

woolen shawl around his neck.

*R)E+ER

[ Literally charged with rage, e/plodes3] I&0e +ee% "++ed, "# -"%"#.

[4etting his breath, he wipes the perspiration rom his orehead with a handkerchie

and, ater the manner o people with impaired hearing, stares straight at the mouth

o the +ustice.

&EHRHAH

R"++ed, e-)



*R)E+ER

[ Already e/asperated.] R"++ed i -a' I aid. I -a0e +ee% "++ed. T" -"le l"ad "4 ""d

-a0e +ee% '"le% 4"* *e.

&EHRHAH

[ Looking around at those present, hal-smiling, says lightly3] N"' '-e lea' '-i%$ "4 '-a' 1i%d -a-a((e%ed -ee e/e%'l.

*R)E+ER

[ 8utting his hand to his ear.] W-a') N"' '-e li$-'e' '-i%$) T-e% (e-a( I /a*e i%'" '-i "44i/e

4" 4#%)

&EHRHAH

5"# %eed %"' +e/"*e 0i"le%'. W-a' i "# %a*e, + '-e a)

*R)E+ER

[%aken aback.] M %a*e)

&EHRHAH

5e, "# %a*e!

*R)E+ER

S" * %a*e i%&' 1%"% '" "#) I '-"#$-' e -ad -ad '-e (lea#e +e4"e.

&EHRHAH

S". <a%&' a '-a' I -a0e a /lea e/"lle/'i"%. A%d '-a' "#ld%&' *a''e "44i/iall a%-".

*R)E+ER

[ $esignedly.] M %a*e i K#e$e.

&EHRHAH

<a(i'ali' + a% /-a%/e)

*R)E+ER

[With e/treme and ironic #ehemence.] E=a/'l8/a(i'ali' a%d -"#e"%e -ee.

&EHRHAH



Ide%'i4 "#el4, (leae.

*R)E+ER

I8Ide%'i4 *el4! M %a*e i K#e$e. I d"%&' '-i%1 e %eed $" '" a% 4#'-e '"#+le. I&0e

+ee% li0i%$ -ee 4" '-i' ea. E0e /-ild i% '-e (la/e 1%" *e.

&EHRHAH

T-e le%$'- "4 "# eide%/e -ee d"e%&' /"%/e% *e. I' i * +#i%e *eel '" a/e'ai% "#

ide%'i'. I '-i $e%'le*a% 1%"% '" "#8M. M"'e)

2&%* hal rises with an angry e/pression.

&EHRHAH

A-, e, I #%de'a%d. Ki%dl i' d"%. Well, Glae%a(()

+LASEA,,

5e, a' "# e0i/e. I' i M. K#e$e all i$-'.

&EHRHAH

Ve ell.8S" "# -a0e +ee% "++ed "4 ""d)

*R)E+ER

O4 ""d, e=a/'l. T" l"ad "4 (i%e ""d.

&EHRHAH

Did "# -a0e '-e ""d '"ed i% "# -ed)

*R)E+ER

[4rowing #iolent again.] T-a'& 7#i'e a e(aa'e *a''e. T-a'& '-e #+'a%/e "4 a%"'-e /"*(lai%'I -a0e '" *a1e.

&EHRHAH

[With an ironic laugh and looking at the others.] S'ill a%"'-e "%e)

*R)E+ER

W-a' d" "# *ea%)

&EHRHAH



N"'-i%$. 5"# *a $" a-ead i'- "# 'a'e*e%'. T-e ""d, i' a((ea, a %"' i% "# -ed)

*R)E+ER

T-e ""d a i% '-e $ade%, '-a' i, i% 4"%' "4 '-e $ade%.

&EHRHAH

I% "'-e "d? i' la i% '-e 'ee'.

*R)E+ER

I' la i% 4"%' "4 '-e $ade% "% * ("(e'.

&EHRHAH

S" '-a' a% "%e /"#ld (i/1 i' #( i'-"#' 4#'-e ad")

*R)E+ER

A%d '-a' i 3#' '-e 4a#l' "4 '-e e0a%':$il. S-e a '" 'a1e '-e ""d i% la' %i$-'.

&EHRHAH

A%d i' d"((ed "#' "4 -e *i%d.

*R)E+ER

S-e e4#ed '" d" i'. A%d -e% I i%i'ed "% -e d"i%$ i', -e e%ded + #%%i%$ aa. I i%'e%d '" +i%$ #i' a$ai%' -e (ae%'. I i%'e%d '" /lai* 4#ll da*a$e.

&EHRHAH

5"# *a d" a+"#' '-a' a "# (leae. I' i%&' li1el '" -el( "# 0e $ea'l.8N" i '-ee a%

"%e -"* "# #(e/' "4 '-e '-e4')

*R)E+ER

N". T-e&e all a e' "4 '-ie0e a"#%d -ee.

&EHRHAH

5"# ill (leae '" a0"id #/- $e%eal i*(#'a'i"%. 5"# *#' #el +e a+le '" "44e *e a /l#e "4

"*e 1i%d.

*R)E+ER

Well, "# /a%&' e=(e/' *e '" a//#e a% "%e a' a%d"*.



&EHRHAH

W-" li0e i% "# -"#e +eide "#el4)

*R)E+ER

D. Flei/-e.

&EHRHAH

[ As i trying to recall something.] D. Flei/-e) D. Flei/-e) W-, -e i a8W-a' i -e,a%-")

*R)E+ER

He i a '-""#$-l lea%ed *a%, '-a'& -a' -e i8'-""#$-l lea%ed.

&EHRHAH

A%d I #(("e '-a' "# a%d -e ae 0e i%'i*a'e i'- ea/- "'-e.

*R)E+ER

T-a' i * +#i%e, i'- -"* I -a((e% '" +e i%'i*a'e. T-a' -a %" +eai%$ "% '-e *a''e i%-a%d, i' ee* '" *e.

&EHRHAH

H" i "%e '" di/"0e a%'-i%$ #%de #/- /i/#*'a%/e) 5"# *#' $i0e *e a -i%', a' lea'!

*R)E+ER

M#' I) G""d%e, $a/i"# *e! M#' I) T" l"ad "4 ""d -a0e +ee% '"le% 4"* *e! I i*(l

/"*e '" $i0e i%4"*a'i"% /"%/e%i%$ '-e '-e4'6.

&EHRHAH

2#' "# *#' -a0e a '-e" "4 "*e 1i%d. T-e ""d *#' %e/eail -a0e +ee% '"le% +

"*e+"d.

*R)E+ER

W-a6. 5e 6 ell, I did%&' d" i'! I "4 all (e"(le did%&' d" i'!

&EHRHAH

2#' * dea *a%6.



*R)E+ER

W-a6) M %a*e i K#e$e.

&EHRHAH

[ "nterrupting and apparently bored.] M:e.8Well, Glae%a((, 3#' *a1e a e/"d "4 '-e 4a/'.

8A%d %", M. K#e$e, -a'& '-i +#i%e a+"#' "# *aid) T-e $il, "# a, a% aa)

*R)E+ER

5e, '-a'& e=a/'l -a' -e did8a% "44 '" -e (ae%'.

&EHRHAH

D" -e (ae%' li0e i% '-i (la/e)

*R)E+ER

[ (ot ha#ing heard correctly.] I&* %"' /"%/e%ed i'- -e 4a/e.

&EHRHAH

I a1ed -e'-e '-e (ae%' "4 '-e $il li0e -ee)

+LASEA,,

S-e& '-e da#$-'e "4 '-e a-e"*a% W"l44.

&EHRHAH

W"l448'-e a*e "%e -"& a-i%$ 4" # '"da, Glae%a(()

+LASEA,,

T-e a*e, "# -"%"#.

&EHRHAH

[*haking his head.] Ve 'a%$e i%deed!8S-e& a 0e -"%e' a%d a 0e i%d#'i"# "*a%.8

[%o 6$4$.] I '-a' a 4a/') I -e '-e da#$-'e "4 '-e "*a% i% 7#e'i"%)

*R)E+ER

S-e i '-e da#$-'e "4 '-e a-e"*a% W"l44.

&EHRHAH



A%d -a '-e $il /"*e +a/1)

*R)E+ER

U( '" '-e (ee%' 'i*e '-e $il -a %"' /"*e +a/1.

&EHRHAH

T-e% #(("e e /all i% M. W"l44 -eel4. Mi''eld"4! 5"# a/' a '-"#$- "# ee 0e 'ied.Well, $" a/" '-e ad. M. W"l44 i '" /"*e '" *e a' "%/e. I +e$ "# '" +e ea'ed, M.

K#e$e.

*R)E+ER

[*itting down and sighing.] O L"d! O L"d! W-a' a li4e!

&EHRHAH

[*otly to 4LA*(A88 and 2&%*.] I&* a'-e /#i"# '" ee -a' ill de0el"(. T-ee&"*e'-i%$ *"e '-a% *ee' '-e ee i% all '-i. I '-i%1 a $ea' deal "4 M. W"l44. T-e "*a%

"1 e%"#$- 4" 4"# *e%. M i4e a#e *e '-a' i4 W"l44 d"e%&' /"*e -e -a '" -ie '"

"*e% i% -e (la/e.8He "(i%i"% ae%&' -al4 +ad ei'-e.

MOTES

S-e a%' -e da#$-'e '" $" "% '-e "(ea'i/ 'a$e6.

&EHRHAH

O-, "4 /"#e, -e *a -a0e a /e l""e i% '-a' e(e/'. 2#' '-a'& %" 4a#l' "4 /-aa/'e. W-a'

-a0e "# -a%$i%$ '-ee, M. M"'e)

MOTES

T-e&e "*e ie %ae. I&* 'a1i%$ '-e* '" '-e 4"e'e Seidel.

&EHRHAH

D" le' *e ee "%e "4 '-"e '-i%$. [ 1e takes one and looks at it closely.] A%d i% '-ee '-i%$ '-e ("" +ea' ae l"l '-"''led '" dea'-.

2$*. W&L)) enters, ollowed by 2"%%L&$). *he is drying her hands, which

are still moist rom the wash tub.

MRS. &OLFF

[nembarrassed, cheerully, with a swit glance at the snares.] Hee I a*. W-a'& #( %")W-a'&* I +ei%& a%'ed 4")



&EHRHAH

M. W"l44, i '-i $e%'le*a% 1%"% '" "#)

MRS. &OLFF

W-i/- "%e "4 &e*) [ 8ointing with her inger at 6$4$.] T-i -ee, '-i i M. K#e$e. I

$#e I 1%" -i* all i$-'. G""d *"%i%&, M. K#e$e.

&EHRHAH

5"# da#$-'e i i% M. K#e$e& e0i/e)

MRS. &OLFF

W-") M da#$-'e) T-a'& "8Le"%'i%e. [%o 6$4$.] 2#' '-e%, -e #% aa 4"* "#,

did%&' -e)

*R)E+ER

[ nraged.] S-e did i%deed.

&EHRHAH

[ "nterrupting.] N" ai' a *"*e%'.

MRS. &OLFF

W-a' 1i%d "& '"#+le did "# -a0e '"$e'-e)

&EHRHAH

M. W"l44, "# li'e% '" *e. 5"# da#$-'e *#' e'#% '" M. K#e$e a' "%/e.

MRS. &OLFF

O-, %", e&d a'-e 1ee( -e a' -"*e %".

&EHRHAH

T-a' /a%&' +e d"%e 7#i'e " eail a "# '-i%1. M. K#e$e -a '-e i$-', i4 -e i-e '" e=e' i',"4 /alli%$ i% '-e -el(, "4 '-e ("li/e. I% '-a' /ae e "#ld -a0e '" 'a1e "# da#$-'e +a/1 +

4"/e.

MRS. &OLFF



2#' * -#+a%d 3#' -a((e%ed '" 'a1e i' i%'" -i -ead. He& 3#' *ade #( -i *i%d %"' '" le' '-e

$il $" %" *"e. A%& -e% * -#+a%d 'a1e a %"'i"% li1e '-a' i%'" -i -ead6. T-e '"#+le i? all

"# *e% -a #/- a4#l 'e*(e!

&EHRHAH

S#(("e "# le' '-a' $", 4" '-e *"*e%', M. W"l44. H" l"%$ -a "# da#$-'e +ee%, a'

-"*e)

MRS. &OLFF

S-e /a*e +a/1 la' %i$-'.

&EHRHAH

La' %i$-') Ve ell. S-e -ad +ee% '"ld '" /a ""d i%'" '-e -ed a%d -e e4#ed.

MRS. &OLFF

E-, i '-a' ") Re4#ed) T-a' $il "& *i%e d"%&' e4#e '" d" "1. A%& I "#ld%&' ad0ie -e '" d"

'-a' 1i%d "& '-i%$ %ei'-e.

&EHRHAH

5"# -ea -a' M. W"l44 a.

MRS. &OLFF

T-a' $il -a ala +ee% a illi%& $il. I4 -e&d e0e e4#ed '" le%d a -a%d6.

*R)E+ER

S-e i*(l e4#ed '" /a i% '-e ""d!

MRS. &OLFF

5e, da$ i% ""d! A' -al4 (a' 'e% a' %i$-'! Pe"(le -" a1 #/- a '-i%$ "4 a /-ild li1e '-a'8

&EHRHAH

T-e ee%'ial '-i%$, -"e0e, M. W"l44, i '-i? '-e ""d a le4' "#' "0e %i$-' a%d -a +ee%'"le%. A%d "6.

*R)E+ER

[ Losing sel-control.] 5"# ill e(la/e '-a' ""d, M. W"l44.

&EHRHAH



All '-a' e*ai% '" +e ee%, i4 "# ill ai'.

*R)E+ER

5"# ill i%de*%i4 *e 4" '-a' ""d '" '-e la' 4a'-i%$!

MRS. &OLFF

A%& i '-a' ") T-a'&d +e a %e a "& d"i%& '-i%$! Did I, *a+e, $" a%& 'eal "# ""d)

&EHRHAH

5"# -ad +e''e le' '-e *a% /al* d"%, M. W"l44.

MRS. &OLFF

N", -e% M. K#e$e /"*e "#%d *e i'- '-i%$ li1e '-a', (ai%& 4" ""d a%d #/- li1e, -e

ai%&' $"i%& '" -a0e %" l#/1. I ala +ee% 4ie%dl i'- '-e* (e"(le8'-a'& #e. N"+"d /a%&'/"*(lai% "& %"'-i%& &4a & I&* /"%/e%ed. 2#' i4 '-i%$ $e' '" '-i ("i%', '-e% I&d a'-e #( a%da * a 3#' e=a/'l -" I 4eel, "# 1%". I d" * d""' a%d '-a'& e%"#$-. T-ee ai%&'

%"+"d i% '-e -"le 0illa$e -a' /&% a a%'-i%& a$ai%' *e. 2#' I ai%&' $"i%& '" le' nobody al1

all "0e *e!

&EHRHAH

5"# %eed %"' ea "#el4 "#', M. W"l44. 5"# -a0e a+"l#'el %" /a#e 4" i'. J#' e*ai%/al*, 7#i'e /al*. 5"#&e %"' e%'iel #%1%"% '" *e, a4'e all. T-ee i%&' a -#*a% +ei%$ -"

"#ld #%de'a1e '" de% "# i%d#' a%d -"%e'. S" le' # -ea -a' "# -a0e '" a i%

a%e '" '-e (lai%'i44.

*R)E+ER

T-e "*a% /a%&' ("i+l -a0e a%'-i%$ '" a!

MRS. &OLFF

H"l& "%, %", e0e+"d! H"& '-a', I&d li1e '" 1%") Ai%&' '-e $il * da#$-'e) A%& I&* %"' '"

-a0e a%'-i%& '" a! 5"# $"''a $" a%& l""1 4" "*e 1i%d "4 a 4""l! 5"# d"%&' 1%" *#/- a+"#'

*e. I d"%&' -a '" -ide -a' I '-i%1 4"* %" "%e8%", %"' 4"* -i -"%"# -iel4, a%& a $""ddeal le 4"* "#, "# *a 'a1e "# "a'- "% '-a'!

&EHRHAH

I 7#i'e #%de'a%d "# e=/i'e*e%', M. W"l44. 2#' i4 "# deie '" e0e '-e /a#e a' i#e, I

"#ld ad0ie "# '" e*ai% /al*.

MRS. &OLFF



T-a'& -a' a (e"% $e'. I +ee% a-i%& /l"'-e 4" '-e* (e"(le '-ee 'e% ea. All '-a' 'i*e

e ai%&' -ad a 4alli%& "#'. A%& %", all "4 a #dde%, '-e 'ea' "# '-i a. I ai%&' /"*i%& '" "#

-"#e %" *"e, "# /&% +elie0e *e.

*R)E+ER

5"# d"%&' %eed '". T-ee ae "'-e a-e"*e%.

MRS. &OLFF

A%& '-e 0e$e'a+le a%& '-e 4#i' "#' "& "# $ade%8"# /&% 3#' $" a%& $e' "*e+"d ele '" ell

&e* 4" "#.

*R)E+ER

I /a% $e' id "4 all '-a'. T-ee& %" 4ea. All "# %eeded '" -a0e d"%e a '" -a0e 'a1e% a 'i/1 '"'-a' $il "4 "# a%d e%' -e +a/1.

MRS. &OLFF

I "%&' -a0e %" da#$-'e "4 *i%e a+#ed.

*R)E+ER

W-" -a +ee% a+#i%$ "# da#$-'e, I&d li1e '" 1%"!

MRS. &OLFF

[%o W1$1A1(.] T-e $il /a*e +a/1 '" *e %" +e''e&% a 1ele'"%.

*R)E+ER

T-e% le' -e %"' (e%d all -e %i$-' da%/i%$.

MRS. &OLFF

S-e lee( li1e '-e dead all da.

&EHRHAH

[ 8ast 2$*. W&L)) to 6$4$.] 2 '-e a, -ee did "# +# '-e ""d i% 7#e'i"%)

MRS. &OLFF

I '-i '-i%$ $"i%& '" la' *#/- l"%$e)

&EHRHAH



W-, M. W"l44)

MRS. &OLFF

W-, "% a//"#%' "& '-e a-i%&. I4 I a'e * 'i*e 'a%di%& "#%d -ee,

I /a%&' $e' d"%e.

&EHRHAH

We /a%&' 'a1e '-a' i%'" /"%idea'i"% -ee, M. W"l44.

MRS. &OLFF

A%& "# i4e) W-a'& -e $"i%& '" a) 5"# /&% $" a%& e''le i' i'- -e, "# -"%"#.

&EHRHAH

I' ill "%l la' a%"'-e *i%#'e, a%-".85"# 'ell # 4a%1l, M. W"l448"# 1%" '-e -"le0illa$e. W-"* d" "# /"%ide /a(a+le "4 '-e /i*e i% 7#e'i"%) W-" /"#ld ("i+l -a0e'"le% '-e ""d)

MRS. &OLFF

I /a%&' 'ell "# %"'-i%& a+"#' '-a', "# -"%"#.

&EHRHAH

A%d %"'-i%$ #(i/i"# /a*e '" "# a''e%'i"%)

MRS. &OLFF

I a%&' e0e% a' -"*e la' %i$-'. I -ad '" $" "0e '" Te('" '" +# $eee.

&EHRHAH

A' -a' 'i*e a '-a')

MRS. &OLFF

A li''le a4'e 'e%. Mi''eld"4, -e a '-ee -e% e 'a'ed.

&EHRHAH

A%d %" 'ea* /ai%$ ""d *e' "#)

MRS. &OLFF

N", %"'-i%& li1e '-a'.



&EHRHAH

H" a+"#' "#, Mi''eld"4, did "# %"'i/e %"'-i%$)

MITTELDORF

[ Ater some thought.] N", I did%&' %"'i/e %"'-i%& #(i/i"#.

&EHRHAH

O4 /"#e %"', I *i$-' -a0e 1%"% '-a'. [%o 6$4$.] Well, -ee did "# +# '-e ""d)

*R)E+ER

W- d" "# -a0e '" 1%" '-a')

&EHRHAH

5"# ill 1i%dl lea0e '-a' '" *e.

*R)E+ER

I %a'#all +"#$-' '-e ""d 4"* '-e de(a'*e%' "4 4"e'.

&EHRHAH

W- %a'#all) I d"%&' ee '-a' a' all. T-ee ae, 4" i%'a%/e, (i0a'e ""d ad. Pe"%all I +# * ""d 4"* Sa%d+e$. W- -"#ld%&' "# +# "# 4"* a deale) O%e eall al*"'

$e' a +e''e +a$ai%.

*R)E+ER

[ "mpatiently.] I -a0e%&' a% *"e 'i*e, "# -"%"#.

&EHRHAH

W-a' d" "# *ea% + '-a') Ti*e) 5"# -a0e %" 'i*e) Ha0e "# /"*e '" *e, " d" I /"*e '""#) A* I 'a1i%$ #( "# 'i*e " ae "# 'a1i%$ #( *i%e)

*R)E+ER

T-a'& "# +#i%e. T-a'& -a' "#&e -ee 4".

&EHRHAH

Pe-a( I&* "# +""'+la/1, e-)

*R)E+ER



Pe-a( I&0e '"le% il0e (""%! I 4"+id "# '" #e '-a' '"%e '" *e.

5"#&e %"' a /"("al a%d I&* %"' a e/#i'.

&EHRHAH

Well, '-a' (ae6. D"%&' -"#' "!

*R)E+ER

I' i "# -" d" all '-e -"#'i%$.

&EHRHAH

5"# ae -al4 dea4. I' i %e/ea 4" *e '" -"#'.

*R)E+ER

5"# -"#' all '-e 'i*e. 5"# -"#' a' e0e "%e -" /"*e i% -ee.

&EHRHAH

I d"%&' -"#' a' a% "%e. 2e ile%'.

*R)E+ER

5"# /a "% a i4 "# ee -ea0e% 1%" -a'! 5"# a%%" '-e -"le (la/e i'- "#/-i/a%e!

&EHRHAH

I&* "%l *a1i%$ a +e$i%%i%$. I&ll *a1e "# a $""d deal *"e #%/"*4"'a+le +e4"e I $e' '-"#$-.

*R)E+ER

T-a' d"e%&' *a1e '-e li$-'e' i*(ei"% "% *e. 5"#&e a (e'e%'i"# %"+"d8%"'-i%$ ele.

5"# i*(l a%' '" /#' a +i$ 4i$#e. A '-"#$- "# ee '-e 1i%$ -i*el4, "#6.

&EHRHAH

I am 1i%$ i% '-i (la/e.

*R)E+ER

[ Laughs heartily.] 5"#&d +e''e le' '-a' +e. I% * e'i*a'i"% "#&e %"'-i%$ a' all. 5"#&e %"'-i%$

+#' a% "di%a 3#'i/e "4 '-e (ea/e. I% 4a/', "#&0e $"' '" lea% '" +e "%e 4i'.

&EHRHAH



Si, i4 "# d"%&' -"ld "# '"%$#e '-i *i%#'e6.

*R)E+ER

T-e%, I #(("e, "#&ll -a0e *e ae'ed. I "#ld%&' ad0ie "# '" $" '" #/- le%$'- a4'e all.

5"# *i$-' (#' "#el4 i%'" a da%$e"# ("i'i"%.

&EHRHAH

Da%$e"#) [%o 2&%*.] Did "# -ea '-a') [%o 6$4$.] A%d -"e0e *#/- "# i%'i$#e,

"# a%d "# ad*ia+le 4"ll"e, a%d -"e0e "# ' '" #%de*i%e * ("i'i"%8"# "%&'

4"/e *e '" a+a%d"% * 'a'i"%.

*R)E+ER

G""d -ea0e%! " ' '" #%de*i%e "# ("i'i"%) 5"# -"le (e"%ali' i 4a '"" #%i*("'a%'.2#' "# *a 'a1e * "d 4" '-i, '-a' i4 "# d"%&' /-a%$e "# 'a/'i/ /"*(le'el, "# ill

/a#e " *#/- '"#+le '-a' "# ill *a1e "#el4 7#i'e i*("i+le.

&EHRHAH

[%o 2&%*.] I #(("e, M. M"'e, '-a' "%e *#' /"%ide -i a$e.

*R)E+ER

I +e$ '" -a0e * /"*(lai%' e/"ded.

&EHRHAH

[%urning o#er the papers on his table.] 5"# ill (leae '" e%d i% "# /"*(lai%' i% i'i%$. I

-a0e %" 'i*e a' '-i *"*e%'.

6$4$ looks at him in consternation, turns around #igorously, and lea#es the

oice without a word.

&EHRHAH

[ Ater a pause o embarrassment.] T-a'& '-e a (e"(le a%%" *e i'- 'i4le.8U$-!8[%o

2$*. W&L)).] 5"#&d +e''e $e' +a/1 '" "# a-i%$.8I 'ell "#, * dea M"'e, a ("i'i"%

li1e *i%e i *ade -ad e%"#$-. I4 "%e ee %"' /"%/i"# "4 -a' "%e e(ee%' -ee8"%e*i$-' "*e'i*e +e 'e*('ed '" '-" #( '-e -"le +#i%e. 2#' a i' i, "%e& *"''" *#' +e '"

'a%d "%e& $"#%d +a0el. F", a4'e all, -a' i i' '-a' e ae de4e%di%$) T-e *"' a/ed $""d

"4 '-e %a'i"%!8

THE C)RTAI FALLS



THE THIRD ACT

"t is about eight o'clock in the morning. %he scene is the dwelling o 2$*. W&L)).Water or coee is boiling on the o#en. 2$*. W&L)) is sitting on a ootstool and

counting out money on the seat o a chair. JL"* enters, carrying a slaughteredrabbit.

()LI)S

5"# +e''e $" a%& -ide '-a' '-ee *"%e!

MRS. &OLFF

[ Absorbed in her calculations, gruly3] D"%&' +"'-e *e!

[*ilence.

JL"* throws the rabbit on a stool. 1e wanders about irresolutely, picking up one

ob+ect ater another. )inally he sets about blacking a boot. )rom aar the blowing o a huntsman's horn is heard.

()LI)S

[ Listens. An/ious and e/cited.] I a=ed "# '" $" a%& -ide '-a' '-ee *"%e!

MRS. &OLFF

A%& I&* 'elli%& "# %"' '" +"'-e *e, J#li#. J#' le' '-a' 4""l M"'e '""'le all -e a%'. He& "#' i%'-e ""d a%& ai%&' '-i%1i%& "& %"'-i%&.

()LI)S

5"# $" i$-' a-ead a%d la%d # i% $a"l!

MRS. &OLFF

D"%&' 'al1 '-a' 4""l 'al1. T-e $il& /"*i%&.

ADELAIDE

[Comes in, +ust out o bed.] G""d *"%i%&, *a*a.

MRS. &OLFF

Did "# lee( ell)



ADELAIDE

5"# a "#' i% '-e %i$-', a%&' "#)

MRS. &OLFF

I $#e "# *#'a +ee% dea*i%&. H# %"! 2i%$ i% "*e ""d, a%& +e 7#i/1 a+"#' i'!

ALA", playing ball with an orange, goes toward the door.

MRS. &OLFF

W-ee did "# $e' '-a')

ADELAIDE

S/-"e+el $a0e i' '" *e "#' "& -i -"(.

[ /it.

MRS. &OLFF

I d"%&' a%' "# '" 'a1e %" (ee%' 4"* '-a' 4elle.8<"*e -ee, J#li#! Li'e% '" *e! Hee I

$"' %i%e':%i%e /"%! T-a'& ala '-e a*e "ld a i'- W#l1". He 3#' /-ea'ed # "#' "&"%e, +e/a#e -e ("*ied '" $i0e a -#%ded.8I&* (#''i%& '-e *"%e i% '-i +a$, &#%de'a%d)

N" $" a%& $e' a -"e a%d di$ a -"le i% '-e $"a'-ed8+#' i$-' #%de '-e *a%$e -ee i'& d.

A%& '-e% "# /&% (#' '-e +a$ i%'" '-e -"le. D&"# -ea *e) A%& 'a1e a 4la' '"%e a%& (#' i' a/".2#' d"%&' +e " l"%$ d"i%& i'.

()LI)S

I '-"#$-' "# a $"i%& '" (a a% i%'al*e%' '" Fi/-e!

MRS. &OLFF

<a%&' "# %e0e d" -a' I 'ell "# '") D"%&' ("1e "#%d " l"%$, &#%de'a%d)

()LI)S

D"%&' "# $" a%& ile *e " I&ll $i0e "# "*e'-i%& '" *a1e "# '"(. I d"%&' -"ld i'- '-a' *"%e'ai%& i% '-i -ee -"#e.

MRS. &OLFF

Well, -a'& $"i%& '" +e d"%e i'- i')

()LI)S



5"# 'a1e i' a%& "# /a i' "0e '" Fi/-e. 5"# aid e a $"i%& '" #e i' '" *a1e a (a*e%' '"

-i*.

MRS. &OLFF

5"#&e '""(id e%"#$- '" *a1e a (e"% i/1. I4 i' a%&' 4" *e "#&d 3#' $" '" '-e d"$.

()LI)S

G" "% i'- "# /ea*i%&! T-a'& i$-'.

MRS. &OLFF

A (e"% /a%&' -el( /ea*i%&, "#&e #/- a 4""l. I4 "# -ad "*e e%e, I "#ld%&' -a0e '"

/ea*. I4 e $" a%& 'a1e '-a' *"%e '" Fi/-e %", "# l""1 "#' a%& ee -a' -a((e%!

()LI)S

T-a'& -a' I a. L""1 a' '-e -"le da*& +#i%e. W-a'& '-e $""d "4 i' '" *e i4 I $"''a $" '"$a"l!

MRS. &OLFF

N" i'& a+"#' 'i*e "# a 1ee(i%& 'ill.

()LI)S

5"# /a%&' /ea* %" l"#de, /a% "#)

MRS. &OLFF

I ai%&' $"i%& '" $e' *e a %e '"%$#e "% "# a//"#%'. 5"# aie a " 6 3#' a -ad a "# /a%,all "% a//"#%' "& '-i +i' "& +#i%e. 5"# 3#' l""1 "#' 4" "#el4 a%& %"' 4" *e. Did "# '-"

'-e 1e i% '-e i0e)

()LI)S

Ha I -ad a /-a%' '" $e' d"% '-ee e')

MRS. &OLFF

T-e% i'& a+"#' 'i*e "# a $e''i%& '-ee! D&"# a%' &e* '" 4i%d '-e 1e "% "#) [ JL"* isabout to go.] O-, ai' a *i%#'e, J#li#. Le' *e -a0e '-e 1e!

()LI)S

W-a' "# $"i%& '" d" i'- i')



MRS. &OLFF

[ 1iding the key about her person.] T-a' ai%&' %" +#i%e "& "#; '-a'& *i%e. [*he pours coee

beans into the hand-mill and begins to grind.] N" "# $" "#' '" '-e -ed; '-e% "# /&% /"*e +a/1 a%& di%1 "# /"44ee.

()LI)S

I4 I&d -a& 1%"% all '-a' +e4"e. A!

[ JL"* e/it. ALA" enters, carrying a large apron ull o irewood.

MRS. &OLFF

W-ee d&"# $" a%& $e' '-a' ""d)

ADELAIDE

W-, 4"* '-e %e +l"/1 "& (i%e.

MRS. &OLFF

5"# a%&' '" #e '-a' %e ""d e'.

ADELAIDE

[ ropping the wood on the loor in ront o the o#en.] T-a' d"%&' d" %" -a*, *a*a, i4 i'& +#%ed

#(!

MRS. &OLFF

5"# '-i%1 "# 1%" a l"'! W-a' ae "# 4""li%& a+"#') 5"# $" #( a +i' a%& '-e% 'al1!

ADELAIDE

I 1%" -ee i' /"*e 4"*!

MRS. &OLFF

W-a' d" "# *ea%, $il)

ADELAIDE

I *ea% '-e ""d.

MRS. &OLFF

D"%&' $" 3a++ei%& %"; e +"#$-' '-a' a' a a#/'i"%.



ADELAIDE

[ 8laying ball with her orange.] O-, L"d, i4 '-a' a '#e! 2#' "# 3#' e%' a%d '""1 i'!

MRS. &OLFF

W-a'& '-a' "# a)

ADELAIDE

I'& 3#' 'a1e%. T-a'& '-e ""d 4"* K#e$e&, *a*a. Le"%'i%e '"ld *e.

MRS. &OLFF

[Cus her head.] T-ee "# $"' a% a%e. We ai%&' %" '-ie0e. N" $" a%& $e' "# le"%. A%&

d" &e* %i/e! I&ll /"*e a%& l""1 &e* "0e la'e!

ADELAIDE

[ /it. )rom the ad+oining room.] I '-"#$-' I /"#ld $" 1a'i%&.

MRS. &OLFF

A%& "# le"% 4" "# /"%4i*a'i"%) I $#e "# 4"$"' '-e*!

ADELAIDE

T-a' d"%&' /"*e 'ill T#eda.

MRS. &OLFF

I'& '":*""! 5"# $" a%& '#d "# 0ee. I&ll /"*e i% a%& -ea "# a &e* la'e.

ADELAIDE'S

[ Loud yawning is heard rom the ad+oining room. %hen she says3]

@Je# '" -i di/i(le aid,

Ue "# 4i%$e '" ea' "# +ead.@

JL"* comes back.

MRS. &OLFF

Well, J#li#, did "# $" a%& d" -a' I '"ld "#)

()LI)S



I4 "# d"%&' li1e * a "& d"i%&, $" a%& d" '-i%$ "#el4.

MRS. &OLFF

G"d 1%" '-a' is '-e +e' a8ala. [*he pours out two cupuls o coee, one or him and

one or hersel, and places the two cups with bread and butter on a wooden chair.] Hee, di%1"# /"44ee.

()LI)S

[*itting down and cutting himsel some bread.] I -"(e W#l1"& +ee% a+le '" $e' aa!

MRS. &OLFF

I% '-i '-a!

()LI)S

E0e% i4 i' i '-ai%&, "# /a%&' 'ell.

MRS. &OLFF

A%& "# %eed%&' /ae i4 i' d" 4ee9e a +i'; -e ai%&' $"i%& '" +e '#/1. I $#e -e& a $""d a #( '-e

/a%al + '-i 'i*e.

()LI)S

Well, I -"(e -e ai%&' li%& #%de '-e +id$e '-i *i%#'e.

MRS. &OLFF

F" * (a' -e /a% +e li%& -ee -e a%' '".

()LI)S

5"# /&% 'a1e i' 4"* *e, &#%de'a%&) T-a' '-ee *a% W#l1" i $"i%& '" $e' i%'" a -ell "4 a -"le"*e da.

MRS. &OLFF

T-a'& -i +#i%e; '-a' ai%&' %"%e "& "#.

()LI)S

T"#+le i e&d all +e i% '-e a*e -"le. 5"# 3#' le' &e* $" a%& 4i%d '-a' /"a' "% -i*!

MRS. &OLFF



W-a' /"a' ae "# 'al1i%& a+"#')

()LI)S

K#e$e&, "& /"#e!

MRS. &OLFF

D"%&' "# $" 'al1i%& "' li1e '-a', &#%de'a%&) A%& d"%&' $" a%& $i0e "#el4 a +la/1 ee "%a//"#%' "& "'-e (e"(le& a44ai!

()LI)S

I $#e '-e* '-i%$ /"%/e% *e!

MRS. &OLFF

<"%/e% "#8"'! T-a' d"%&' /"%/e% "# a' all. T-a'& * +#i%e a%& %"' "#. 5"# ai%&' %"*a% a' all; "#&e %"'-i%& +#' a% "ld "*a%!8Hee "# $"' "*e /-a%$e. N" -# a%& $e' "#'"& -ee. G" "0e '" Fie+i$ a%d 'a1e a di%1. I d"%&' /ae i4 "# -a0e a $""d 'i*e all da S#%da.

[ A knocking is heard.] <"*e i$-' i%! <"*e i$-' i%, a% "%e '-a' a%' '"!

$. )L"*C1$ enters, leading his little son o i#e by the hand. )L"*C1$ is

twenty-se#en years old. 1e wears one o the Jaeger reorm suits. 1is hair, beardand moustache are all coal-black. 1is eyes are deep-set; his #oice, as a rule, gentle.

1e displays, at e#ery moment, a touching an/iety or the child.

MRS. &OLFF

[ Jubilantly.] L"d! I li''le P-ili( /"*i%& '" ee # "%/e *"e! N", ai%&' '-a' 4i%e) N" I eall

4eel ("#d "& '-a'! [*he gets hold o the child and takes o his o#ercoat.] <"*e %" a%& 'a1e "44"# /"a'. I'& a* +a/1 -ee a%& "# ai%&' $"i%& '" +e /"ld.

FLEISCHER

M. W"l44, '-ee& a da#$-'. I +elie0e '-ee& a da#$-'.

MRS. &OLFF

O-, -e ai%&' " ea1 a all '-a'. A +i' "& da#$-', ai%&' $"i%& '" -#' '-i li''le 4elle!

FLEISCHER

O-, +#' i' ill, I a#e "#. 5"# -a0e %" idea. He /a'/-e /"ld " eail! E=e/ie, P-ili(! Kee(*"0i%$ a li''le.

81"L"8 +erks his shoulders back with a pettish e/clamation.



FLEISCHER

<"*e %", P-ili(. 5"#&ll e%d + +ei%$ ill. All "# -a0e '" d" i '" al1 l"l #( a%d d"%.

,HILI,

[ (aughtily.] 2#', I d"%&' a%' '".

MRS. &OLFF

Le' -i* d" li1e -e a%' '".

FLEISCHER

Well, $""d *"%i%$, M. W"l44.

MRS. &OLFF

G""d *"%i%$, D"/'". I&* $lad '" ee "# /"*i%& i% "%/' *"e.

FLEISCHER

G""d *"%i%$, M. W"l44.

()LI)S

G""d *"%i%&, M. Flei/-e.

MRS. &OLFF

5"#&e 0e el/"*e. Pleae i' d"%.

FLEISCHER

We -a0e 3#' a 4e *i%#'e '" 'a.

MRS. &OLFF

Well, i4 e -a #/- a 4i%e 0ii' (aid # " eal i% '-e *"%i%&, e&e #e '" -a0e a l#/1 da

'-i da. [ 6neeling down by the child.] Ai%&' i' ", * +") 5"#&ll +i%$ # $""d l#/1, "%&' "#)

,HILI,

[ /citedly.] I e%' '" 9e 9"l"$i/al dade%; I a 9e '"1 9ee, a%& 9e +i' ea/- "99e i 9eid"lde% +ill.

MRS. &OLFF



Well %", "# d"%&' *ea% '" a "! 5"#&e 'elli%& *e a li''le 4i+, ai%&' "#) [ 1ugging and kissing

the child.] L"d, /-ild, I /"#ld 3#' ea' "# #(, ea' "# i$-' #(. M. Flei/-e, I&* $"i%& '" 1ee(

'-i +". T-i i * +". 5"#&e * +", ai%&' "#) A%& -"& "# *"'-e, e-)

,HILI,

S-e& ell a%& -e e%d -e edad a%& "#&ll (leae '"*e i% 9e *"%i%$ '" a-.

MRS. &OLFF

Well %", 3#' li'e% '" '-a'. A li''le 4elle li1e '-a' a%& -e /a% $i0e all '-a' *ea$e alead! [%o

)L"*C1$.] W"%&' "# i' d"%, 3#' a +i')

FLEISCHER

T-e +" +"'-e *e a+"#' +"a'i%$. I i' ("i+le '" $")

MRS. &OLFF

O-, #e. T-e S(ee i "(e%. M $il '-ee /&% " "# "#' a a.

FLEISCHER

T-e +" "%&' '"( a+"#' i'! He& 3#' 'a1e% '-a' i%'" -i -ead.

ADELAIDE

[*howing hersel in the door that leads to the ne/t room, beckons to 81"L"8.] <"*e, P-ili(, I&ll

-" "# "*e'-i%& eal 4i%e!

81"L"8 gi#es a stubborn screech.

FLEISCHER

N", P-ili(, "# *#%&' +e %a#$-'!

ADELAIDE

J#' l""1 a' '-a' 4i%e "a%$e!

81"L"8'* ace is wreathed in smiles. 1e takes a ew steps in ALA"'s direction.

FLEISCHER

G" a-ead, +#' d"%&' +e$!

ADELAIDE



<"*e "%! <"*e "%! We&ll ea' '-i "a%$e '"$e'-e %".

[*he walks in the child's direction, takes him by the hand, holds up the orange

temptingly, and both go, now 0uite at one, into the ne/t room.

MRS. &OLFF

[ )ollowing the child with her eyes.] N", '-a' +", I /"#ld 3#' i' a%& l""1 a' -i*. I d"%&' 1%",-e% I ee a +" li1e '-a' 6 [*he takes up a corner o her apron and wipes her eyes.] 6 I 4eel

a i4 I -ad '" -"l i$-' "#'.

FLEISCHER

Did "# -a0e a +" li1e '-a' "%/e)

MRS. &OLFF

T-a' I -ad. 2#' -a'& '-e #e "& all '-a'. 5"# /a%&' *a1e (e"(le /"*e +a/1 '" li4e. 5"# ee8 '-i%$ li1e '-a'8'-a'& li4e6.

A pause.

FLEISCHER

O%e /a%&' +e /ae4#l e%"#$- i'- /-ilde%,

MRS. &OLFF

5"# /a% $" a%& +e a /ae4#l a "# a%' '" +e. W-a' i '" +e, ill +e. [ A pause.!*haking herhead.] W-a' '"#+le did "# -a0e i'- M. M"'e)

FLEISCHER

I) N"%e a' all! W-a' '"#+le -"#ld I -a0e -ad i'- -i*)

MRS. &OLFF

O-, I a 3#' '-i%1i%&.

FLEISCHER

H" "ld i "# da#$-'e a%-")

MRS. &OLFF

S-e&ll +e "#' "& /-""l '-i Ea'e. W-) W"#ld "# li1e '" -a0e -e) I "#ld%&' *i%d -e $"i%&

i%'" e0i/e i4 i'& i'- "#.



FLEISCHER

I d"%&' ee - %"'. T-a' "#ld%&' +e -al4 +ad.

MRS. &OLFF

S-e& $"% #( '" +e a '"%$ 1i%d "& +"d. E0e% i4 -e i a +i' "#%$, -e /&% "1 *"' a ell

a a% "%e, I 'ell "#. A%& I 'ell "# a%"'-e '-i%$. S-e& a /a*( %" a%& '-e%; -e d"%&' alad" i$-'. 2#' -e ai%&' %" 4""l. T-a' $il& $"' $e%i#.

FLEISCHER

T-a'& 7#i'e ("i+le, %" d"#+'.

MRS. &OLFF

5"# 3#' le' -e $" a%& e/i'e a i%$le (ie/e 4" "#83#' "%/e8a ("*e, " "*e'-i%&. A%& I 'ell

"#, D"/'", "# ai%&' $"i%& '" +e a+le '" $e' '-"#$- -i0ei%&. 5"# /&% ("i+l /all -e i% "*eda -e% "# $"' 0ii'" 4"* 2eli%. All 1i%d "& i'e /"*e '" "# -"#e, I +elie0e. A%&

-e ai%&' +a/1ad; -e&ll ail i$-' i%. O-, -e d"e a (ie/e that +ea#'i4#l.8[With a sudden

change o manner.] N" I a%' '" $i0e "# a +i' "& ad0i/e; "%l "# *#%&' +e "44e%ded.

FLEISCHER

I&* %e0e "44e%ded + $""d ad0i/e.

MRS. &OLFF

Fi' '-i%$, '-e%? D"%&' $i0e aa " *#/-. N"+"d ai%&' $"i%& '" '-a%1 "# 4" i'. 5"# d"%&' $e'%"'-i%& +#' i%$a'i'#de.

FLEISCHER

W-, I d"%&' $i0e aa 0e *#/-, M. W"l44.

MRS. &OLFF

T-a'& all i$-', I 1%". A%& '-e *"e "# 'al1, '-e *"e /aed (e"(le $e'. Fi' '-i%$ '-e a?

'-a'& a de*e/a'. 5"% /a%&' +e '"" /ae4#l 'al1i%&.

FLEISCHER

I% -a' a a* I '" 'a1e all '-a', M. W"l44)

MRS. &OLFF

5"% /&% $" a%& "# /&% '-i%1 -a' "# (leae. 2#' "# $"''a +e /ae4#l -e% i' /"*e '" 'al1i%&, " "# i' i% $a"l +e4"e "# 1%" i'.



FLEISCHER

[%urns pale.] Well, %", l""1 -ee, +#' '-a'& %"%e%e, M. W"l44.

MRS. &OLFF

N", %". I 'ell "# '-a'& ei"#. A%& +e /ae4#l "& '-a' 4elle, -a'e0e "# d"!

FLEISCHER

W-"* d" "# *ea% + '-a')

MRS. &OLFF

T-e a*e *a% e a 'al1i%& a+"#' a -ile a$".

FLEISCHER

M"'e, "# *ea%)

MRS. &OLFF

I ai%&' %a*i%& %" %a*e. 5"# *#' -a& -ad "*e 1i%d "& '"#+le i'- '-a' 4elle.

FLEISCHER

I d"%&' e0e% a"/ia'e i'- -i* a% l"%$e.

MRS. &OLFF

Well, "# ee, '-a'& 3#' -a' I&0e +ee% '-i%1:i%&.

FLEISCHER

N"+"d /"#ld ("i+l +la*e *e 4" '-a', M. W"l44.

MRS. &OLFF

A%& I ai%&' +la*i%& "# 4" i'.

FLEISCHER

I' "#ld +e a 4i%e '-i%$, "#ld%&' i'8'" a"/ia'e i'- a i%dle, a %"'"i"# i%dle.

MRS. &OLFF

T-a' *a% i a i%dle; "#&e i$-' '-ee.



FLEISCHER

N" -e *"0ed "0e '" Deie&. T-a' ("" "*a% ill -a0e a -ad 'i*e $e''i%$ -e e%'. A%d

-a'e0e -e -a, -e&ll $e' id "4 i'. W-, a 4ell" li1e '-a'8-e& a e$#la $a"l:+id.

MRS. &OLFF

S"*e'i*e, "# 1%", -e&ll a '-i%$ 6

FLEISCHER

I '-a' ") A+"#' *e) Well, I am /#i"#.

MRS. &OLFF

I +elie0e "# a -ead '" a "*e'-i%& +ad a+"#' "*e -i$- (e"%, " "*e'-i%& li1e '-a'.

FLEISCHER

H:*. 5"# d"%&' 1%" a%'-i%$ de4i%i'e, I dae a)

MRS. &OLFF

He& *i$-' '-i/1 i'- We--a-%, '-a'& /e'ai%. 2#' I 'ell "# -a'. 5"# $" "0e '" "ld *"'-eDeie. T-a' "ld i'/- i +e$i%%i%& '" *ell a a'. Fi' '-e a a %i/e a /a% +e '" -e; %"

'-e&e ea'i%& -e "#''a -"#e a%d -"*e!

FLEISCHER

O-, (-a! T-e -"le '-i%$ i %"%e%e.

MRS. &OLFF

5"# /&% $" '" '-e Deie "*a%. T-a' d"%&' d" %" -a*. S-e /&% 'ell "# a '" 6 He a%'ed '"$e' -e i%'" $i0i%& 4ale i'%e6. T-a' -" '-e 1i%d "& *a% "# $"''a deal i'-.

FLEISCHER

O4 /"#e, I *i$-' $" '-ee. I' /a% d" %" -a*. 2#', i% '-e e%d, '-e -"le *a''e i i%di44ee%' '"

*e. I' "#ld +e '-e de#/e "4 a "ld, i4 a 4ell" li1e '-a'6. 5"# 3#' le' -i* /"*e!8Hee,

P-ili(, P-ili(! W-ee ae "#) We&0e $"' '" $".

ADELAIDE'S VOICE

O-, e&e l""1i%& a' #/- (e'' (i/'#e.

FLEISCHER



W-a' d" "# '-i%1 "4 '-a' "'-e +#i%e, a%-")

MRS. &OLFF

W-a' +#i%e)

FLEISCHER

Ha0e%&' "# -ead a%'-i%$ e')

MRS. WOLFF [ $estlessly.] Well, -a' a I ai%&)6 [ "mpatiently.]H#, J#li#, a%& $", "& "# /&% $e' +a/1 i% 'i*e 4" di%%e. [%o

)L"*C1$.] We 1illed& a a++i' 4" di%%e '":da. Ai%&' "# ead e',

J#li#)

()LI)S

Well, $i0e *e a /-a%' '" 4i%d * /a(.

MRS. &OLFF

I /a%&' 'a%d eei%& a%+"d 3#' 4""li%& "#%d '-a' a, a i4 i' did%&' *a1e %" di44ee%/e a+"#' '":

da " '":*"", I li1e '" ee '-i%$ *"0e al"%$.

FLEISCHER

W-, la' %i$-', a' K#e$e&, '-e 6

MRS. &OLFF

D" *e a 4a0"#, D"/'", a%& d"%&' 'al1 '" *e a+"#' '-a' '-ee *a%. I&* '-a' a%$ a' -i*! T-a'*a% -#' * 4eeli%& '"" +ad. T-e a e a8-i* a%& *e, 4" " l"%$8a%& '-e% -e $"e a%d

'ie '" +la/1e% * /-aa/'e i'- all '-e* (e"(le. [%o JL"*.] Ae "# $"i%& " %"')

()LI)S

I&* $"i%& all i$-'; d"%&' $e' " -#44. G""d *"%i%& '" "#, M.Flei/-e.

FLEISCHER

G""d *"%i%$, M. W"l44.

[ JL"* e/it.

MRS. &OLFF

Well, a I a ai%& 6



FLEISCHER

T-a' 'i*e -e% -i ""d a '"le%, I #(("e -e 7#aeled i'- "#. 2#' -e& e(e%'ed "4 '-a'

l"%$ i%/e.

MRS. &OLFF

T-a' *a% a%d e(e%'!

FLEISCHER

5"# *a +elie0e *e all '-e a*e, M. W"l44. A%d e(e/iall a4'e '-i la' a44ai. He -a a 0e

-i$- "(i%i"% "4 "# i%deed. T-e +e' '-i%$ "#ld +e i4 "# ee '" +e e/"%/iled.

MRS. &OLFF

We *i$-' -a& 'al1ed '"$e'-e li1e e%i+le (e"(le, +#' 4" -i* '" $" a%& #% 'ai$-' '" '-e ("li/e

8%", %"!

FLEISCHER

Well, '-e ("" li''le "ld /"#(le i -a0i%$ +ad l#/1? "%l a ee1 a$" '-ei ""d, a%d %" '-e 4#

/"a'6.

MRS. &OLFF

Ae "# /"*i%& '" "# $ea' %e %") O#' i'- i'!

FLEISCHER

Well, i'& a /lea /ae "4 +#$la.

MRS. &OLFF

S"*e *"e 'eali%&) D"%&' *a1e 4#% "& *e!

FLEISCHER

5e, a%d '-i 'i*e i'& a (e4e/'l %e 4# /"a'.

MRS. &OLFF

Well %", "# 1%", (e'' ""% I&ll *"0e aa 4"* -ee. T-a'& a /"d "#%d -ee! W-, a

(e"% ai%&' ae "& '-ei li0e. T'! T'! S#/- 4"l1! I' ai%&' -adl '" +e +elie0ed!

FLEISCHER

5"# /a% 4"* a% idea "4 '-e %"ie '-e&e *a1i%$.



MRS. &OLFF

Well, "# /a%&' -adl +la*e '-e (e"(le.

FLEISCHER

A%d eall, i' a, a 0e e=(e%i0e $a*e%'8"4 *i%1, I +elie0e.

MRS. &OLFF

Ai%&' '-a' "*e'-i%& li1e +ea0e, M. Flei/-e)

FLEISCHER

Pe-a( i' a +ea0e, 4" all I 1%". A%-", '-e ee eal ("#d "4 i'.8I ad*i', I la#$-ed '"

*el4 "0e '-e +#i%e. W-e% "*e'-i%$ li1e '-a' i di/"0eed i' ala -a a /"*i/ e44e/'.

MRS. &OLFF

5"#&e a /#el *a%, eall, D"/'". I /a%&' $" a%& la#$- a+"#' '-i%$ li1e '-a'.

FLEISCHER

5"# *#'%&' '-i%1 '-a' I&* %"' " 4" '-e *a%, 4" all '-a'.

MRS. &OLFF

T-e* *#' +e (e'' 'a%$e (e"(le. I d"%&' 1%". T-ee ai%&' %" a "& #%de'a%di%& '-a'. J#'

'" $" a%& "+ "'-e (e"(le "& -a'& '-ei8%", '-e% i'& +e''e '" "1 'ill "# d"(.

FLEISCHER

5"# *i$-' (e-a( *a1e a ("i%' "4 1ee(i%$ "# ea "(e%. I +elie0e '-e /"a' i #(("ed '" +e

i% '-e 0illa$e.

MRS. &OLFF

Ha '-e $"' a% #(i/i"% "& a%+"d)

FLEISCHER

O-, '-ee a a a-e"*a% "1i%$ a' '-e K#e$e&6.

MRS. &OLFF

2 '-e %a*e "& Mille)

FLEISCHER



A%d -e -a a 0e la$e 4a*il6)

MRS. &OLFF

T-e "*a%& $"' a la$e 4a*il, '-a'& ", +#' '" 'eal '-a' a 6 %"!

S-e *i$-' 'a1e "*e li''le '-i%$, e.

FLEISCHER

O4 /"#e K#e$e (#' -e "#'.

MRS. &OLFF

A, '-a'& +"#%d '" /"*e "#'. M $""d%e, '-e de0il -iel4&d -a0e '" +e +a/1 "& '-a' i4 i' d"%&'. I

i- I a 3#'i/e -ee. 2#' '-e *a% i '-a' '""(id!8ell! I /&% ee +e''e&% '-e da1 '-a% -e /a%

+ da i'- -i $la ee.

FLEISCHER

I al*"' +elie0e "# /"#ld.

MRS. &OLFF

I /&% 'ell "#, i4 I -ad '", I /"#ld 'eal '-e /-ai 4"* #%de '-a' *a%& +e-i%d.

FLEISCHER

[ 1as arisen and calls, laughingly, into the ad+oining room.] <"*e, P-ili(, /"*e! We&0e $"' '"

$"! G""d:+e, M. W"l44.

MRS. &OLFF

5"# $e' deed, Adelaide. 5"# /&% $" a%& " M. Flei/-e a a.

ADELAIDE

[ nters, buttoning the last buttons at her throat and leading 81"L"8 by the hand.] I&* all ead.

[%o 81"L"8.] 5"# /"*e i$-' -ee; I&ll 'a1e "# "% * a*.

FLEISCHER

[ An/iously helping the boy on with his coat.] He& $"' '" +e a((ed #( ell; -e& " deli/a'e,a%d %" d"#+' i'& i%d "#' "% '-e i0e.

ADELAIDE

I +e''e $" a-ead a%& $e' '-e +"a' ead.



MRS. &OLFF

I "# -eal'- +e''e '-ee da)

FLEISCHER

M#/- +e''e i%/e I&* li0i%$ "#' -ee.

ADELAIDE

[Calls back in rom the door.] Ma*a, M. K#e$e.

MRS. &OLFF

W-"& /"*i%&)

ADELAIDE

M. K#e$e.

MRS. &OLFF

I' ai%&' ("i+le!

FLEISCHER

He *ea%' '" /"*e '" "# d#i%$ '-e 4"e%""%.

[ /it.

MRS. &OLFF

[%hrows a swit glance at the heap o ire wood and #igorously sets about clearing it away.]

<"*e "%, %", -el( *e $e' '-i ""d "#' "& i$-'.

ADELAIDE

W-, *a*a) O-, "% a//"#%' "& M. K#e$e.

MRS. &OLFF

Well, -a' 4" d&"# #(("e) I '-i a ("(e a 4" a (la/e '" l""1, '-e a '-i "%e i l""1:i%&) I '-a' de/e%' a%& "% S#%da *"%i%&, '"") W-a' i M. K#e$e $"i%& '" '-i%1 "4 #)

[ 6$4$ appears, e/hausted by his walk. 2$*. W&L)) calls out to him.] M. K#e$e,

(leae d"%&' l""1 &"#%d. T-i (la/e i i% a 'ei+le 'a'e!

*R)E+ER



[ "mpetuously.] G""d *"%i%$! G""d *"%i%$! D"%&' " a+"#' '-a' a' all! 5"# $" '" "1

e0e ee1 a%d "# -"#e /a%&' +e e=(e/'ed '" +e (e4e/' "% S#%da. 5"# ae a% e=/elle%'

"*a%, M. W"l44, a%d a 0e -"%e' "%e. A%d I '-i%1 e *i$-' d" 0e ell '" 4"$e' -a'e0e -a -a((e%ed +e'ee% #.

MRS. &OLFF

[ "s mo#ed, and dries her eyes rom time to time with a corner o her apron.] I %e0e -ad %"'-i%&

a$ai%' "# i% '-e "ld. I ala li1ed '" "1 4" "#. 2#' "# e%' a%& $"' " "#$- li1e, "#1%", '-a' a (e"%& 'e*(e /"#ld%&' -adl -el( $e''i%& aa i'- &e*. L"d, a (e"% i "

4" '-a' 1i%d "& '-i%$ ""% e%"#$-.

*R)E+ER

5"# 3#' /"*e +a/1 a%d a- 4" #. W-ee i "# da#$-'e Le"%'i%e)

MRS. &OLFF

S-e e%' '" 'a1e "*e /a++a$e '" '-e ("'*a'e.

*R)E+ER

5"# 3#' le' # -a0e '-a' $il a$ai%. S-e /a% -a0e '-i' /"% a$e i%'ead "4 'e%'. We ee

ala 7#i'e a'i4ied i'- -e i% "'-e e(e/'. Le'& 4"$i0e a%d 4"$e' '-e -"le a44ai.

[ 1e holds out his hand to 2$*. W&L)), who takes it heartily.

MRS. &OLFF

All '-a' -ad%&' %" %eed '" -a((e%. T-e $il, "# ee, i 'ill 4""li- li1e a /-ild. We "ld (e"(le

ala did $e' al"%$ '"$e'-e.

*R)E+ER

Well, '-e%, '-e *a''e i e''led. [4radually regaining his breath.]8Well, '-e%, * *i%d i a' e'

a+"#' '-a', a%-".82#' %", d" 'ell *e! T-i '-i%$ '-a'& -a((e%ed '" *e! W-a' d" "# a '"

'-a')

MRS. &OLFF

O-, ell, "# 1%"8-a' can a (e"% a a+"#' #/- '-i%$)

*R)E+ER

A%d '-ee e $"' '-a' M. 0"% We--a-%! He& 0e ell -e% i' /"*e '" a%%"i%$ -"%e'

/i'i9e% a%d '-i%1i%$ "#' all "' "4 /-i/a%e a%d (ee/#'i"%, +#'8T-a' *a%, -a' d"e%&' -e

'i/1 -i i%7#ii'i0e %"e i%'"!



MRS. &OLFF

I%'" e0e'-i%$ e=/e('i%& -a' -e "#$-' '".

*R)E+ER

I&* $"i%$ '" -i* %" '" $i0e 4"*al %"'i/e. I "%&' e'! T-i '-i%$ -a $"' '" +e di/"0eed.

MRS. &OLFF

5"# "#$-'%&' + %" *ea% '" le' a '-i%$ "& '-a' 1i%d $".

*R)E+ER

A%d i4 I&0e $"' '" '#% e0e'-i%$ #(ide d"%8I&ll $e' +a/1 * /"a',

M. W"l44.

MRS. &OLFF

W-a' '-i (la/e %eed i a $""d /lea%i%& "#'. We "%&' $e' %" e' i% '-e 0illa$e 'ill '-e%. T-e&ll

e%d #( + 'eali%& '-e ""4 4"* "0e a (e"%& -ead.

*R)E+ER

I a1 "# '" /"%ide, 4" -ea0e%& a1e8'" "++eie i% '-e /"#e "4 '" ee1! T" l"ad "4

""d, 3#' li1e '-e ""d "# -a0e '-ee. [ 1e takes up a piece that is lying on the loor.] S#/-

$""d a%d e=(e%i0e ""d, M. W"l44.

MRS. &OLFF

I'& e%"#$- '" *a1e a (e"% $e' +l#e i% '-e 4a/e i'- a$e. T-e 1i%d "& /"d e $"''a li0e i'--ee! A, '-i%$ li1e '-a'! N", "# 1%"! J#' lea0e *e al"%e i'- i'!

*R)E+ER

[ "rately gesticulating with the piece o wood.] A%d i4 i' /"' *e a '-"#a%d /"%, I&ll ee '" i'

'-a' '-"e '-ie0e ae -#%'ed d"%. T-e "%&' e/a(e '-e (e%i'e%'ia '-i 'i*e.

MRS. &OLFF

A%& '-a'&d +e a +lei%& '"", a #e& e&e ali0e!

THE C)RTAI FALLS



THE FO)RTH ACT

%he court room. 4LA*(A88 is sitting at his table. 2$*. W&L)) and ALA" are waiting or the +ustice. ALA" holds on her lap a small package wrapped

in linen.

MRS. &OLFF

He& 'a1i%& -i 'i*e a$ai% '":da.

+LASEA,,

[Writing.] Pa'ie%/e! Pa'ie%/e!

MRS. &OLFF

Well, i4 -e& $"i%& '" +e " la'e a$ai% '":da, -e "%&' -a0e %" *"e 'i*e 4" #.

+LASEA,,

G""d%e! 5"# a%& "# 'i4le! We $"' di44ee%' 1i%d "& '-i%$ '" deal i'- -ee.

MRS. &OLFF

A, I $#e '-e&e 4i%e '-i%$ "# $"' '" d".

+LASEA,,

T-a'& %" a '" 'al1. T-a' ai%&' ("(e -ee!

MRS. &OLFF

A, a/' a li''le *"e $a%d, ill "#) K#e$e -iel4 e%' * $il -ee!

+LASEA,,

T-e a*e "ld '" a+"#' '-e /"a', I #(("e.

MRS. &OLFF

A%& - %"'!

+LASEA,,

N" '-e "ld 4ell"& $"' "*e'-i%& 4" #e. N" -e /a% $" 'ii%& '-i%$ #(8'-e 1%"/1:1%eed

"ld %#ia%/e.



MRS. &OLFF

5"# /&% #e "# '"%$#e. 5"# +e''e ee a+"#' 4i%di%& "#' "*e'-i%&.

MITTELDORF

[ Appears in the doorway.] 5"#&e '" /"*e i$-' "0e, Glae%a((. Hi -"%"# a%' '" a= "#

"*e'-i%&.

+LASEA,,

Ha I $"' '" i%'e#(' *el4 a$ai%)

[ 1e throws down his pen and goes out.

MRS. &OLFF

G""d *"%i%&, Mi''eld"4.

MITTELDORF

G""d *"%i%&.

MRS. &OLFF

W-a'& 1ee(i%& '-e 3#'i/e all '-i -ile)

MITTELDORF

He& i'i%& (a$e a%& (a$e! A%& '-e* *#' +e i*("'a%' '-i%$, I /&% 'ell "# '-a'.

[Conidentially.] A%& le**e 'ell "#? '-ee& "*e'-i%& i% '-e ai.8I ai%&' ai%& I 1%" e=a/'l

-a'. 2#' '-ee& "*e'-i%&8I 1%" '-a' a #e & 6 5"# 3#' l""1 "#', '-a'& all, a%d "#&ll li0e'" ee i'. I'& $"i%& '" /"*e d"%8"*e'-i%&8a%d -e% i' d"8l""1 "#'. T-a'& all I a. N", I

d"%&' (e'e%d '" #%de'a%d '-e* '-i%$. I'& all %e d"i%& '" *e. T-a'& -a' '-e /all *"de%.

A%& I d"%&' 1%" %"'-i%& a+"#' '-a'. 2#' "*e'-i%& $"' '" -a((e%. T-i%$ /a%&' $" "% '-i a.

T-e -"le (la/e i $"' '" +e /lea%ed "#'. I /a%&' a & I $e' '-e -a%$ "4 i'. I&* '"" "ld. 2#' 'al1a+"#' '-e 3#'i/e -a' died. W-, -e a%&' %"'-i%& +#' a da*& 4""l '" '-i "%e. I /"#ld $" a%& 'ell

"# all 1i%d "& '-i%$, +#' I ai%&' $"' %" 'i*e. T-e +a"%&ll +e *ii%& *e. [ 1e goes but, ha#ing

arri#ed at the door, he turns back.] T-e li$-'e%i%& i $"i%& '" 'i1e, M. W"l44. Ta1e * "d 4" '-a'!

MRS. &OLFF

I $#e a /e& /"*e l""e "*e-ee i'- -i*.

[ 8ause.

ADELAIDE



W-a'& '-a' I $"''a a) I 4"$"'.

MRS. &OLFF

W-a' did "# a '" M. K#e$e)

ADELAIDE

W-, I aid '-a' I 4"#%d '-i -ee (a/1a$e.

MRS. &OLFF

Well, "# d"%&' %eed '" a %"'-i%& +#' '-a' -ee %ei'-e. O%l a i' i$-' "#' '"%$ a%& #e. 5"#ai%&' #/- a *"#e "'-e 'i*e.

&)L*O&

[Comes in.] I i- "# a $""d *"%i%$.

MRS. &OLFF

[*tares at WL6&W. *he is speechless or a moment. %hen3] N", W#l1", I $#e "# l"' your *i%d! W-a' ae "# d"i%& -ee)

&)L*O&

Well, * i4e, -e -a a +a+ 6

MRS. &OLFF

W-a'& '-a' -e& $"')

&)L*O&

A li''le $il. S" I $"''a $" '" '-e (#+li/ e$i' a%& *a1e '-e a%%"#%/e*e%'.

MRS. &OLFF

I '-"#$-' "#&d +e "#' "% '-e /a%al + '-i 'i*e.

&)L*O&

A%& I "#ld%&' *i%d i' "%e li''le +i' i4 I a! A%& " I would +e, i4 i' de(e%ded "% *e. Did%&' I $"

a%& 'a' "#' '-e 0e *i%#'e) 2#' -e% I /"*e '" '-e l"/1 '-ee a%&' %" $e''i%& 4a'-e. I

ai'ed a%& ai'ed 4" '-e S(ee '" "(e% #(. T" da a%& %i$-' I la '-ee 'ill '-i '-i%$ i'- *i4e /a*e al"%$. T-ee a%&' %" #e -"li%& '-e%. I -ad '" /"*e +a/1.

MRS. &OLFF



S" "# +"a' i d"% + '-e +id$e a$ai%)

&)L*O&

T-a'& -ee i' i. I ai%&' $"' %" "'-e (la/e, -a I)

MRS. &OLFF

Well, d"%&' /"*e '" *e, i4 6

&)L*O&

I -"(e '-e ai%&' /a#$-' "% '" %"'-i%&, a' lea'.

MRS. &OLFF

G" '" '-e -"( a%& $e' '-ee /e%'& "'- "& '-ead.

ADELAIDE

I&ll $" 4" '-a' -e% e $e' -"*e.

MRS. &OLFF

D"& I 'ell "# a%& d"%&' a%e +a/1.

ADELAIDE

A, I ai%&' %" +a+ %" *"e.

[ /it.

MRS. &OLFF

[ agerly.] A%& " "# la '-ee + '-e l"/1)

&)L*O&

T" -"le da, a I +ee% 'elli%& "#.

MRS. &OLFF

Well, "# ai%&' *#/- $""d 4" '-i 1i%d "& '-i%$. 5"#&e a 4i%e 4elle '" $" a%& (#' "% '-a' /"a' i%

+i$-' dali$-'!

&)L*O&

P#' i' "%) Me)



MRS. &OLFF

5e, "# (#' i' "%, a%& i% +i$-' dali$-', "& '-e -"le (la/e /&% 1%" 'ai$-' "44 -a' a 4i%e 4#

/"a' "# $"'.

&)L*O&

A, '-a' a &a "#' i% '-e *iddle "& '-e8

MRS. &OLFF

I' a a 7#a'e "4 a -"# 4"* "# -"#e. M $il a "# i''i%& '-ee. S-e -ad '" $" a%& " D.

Flei/-e "#' a%& -e e%' a%& -ad -i #(i/i"% '-a' *i%#'e.

&)L*O&

I d"%&' 1%" %"'-i%& a+"#' '-a'. T-a' ai%&' %"%e "& * +#i%e.

[*ome one is heard approaching.

MRS. &OLFF

S-! 5"# a%' '" +e "% '-e l""1"#' %", '-a'& all.

+LASEA,,

[ nters hurriedly with an attempt to imitate the manner o the +ustice. 1e asks WL6&W

condescendingly3] W-a' +#i%e -a0e "#)

&EHRHAH

[*till without.] W-a' d" "# a%', $il) 5"#&e l""1i%$ 4" *e) <"*e i%, '-e%. [W1$1A1( permits ALA" to precede him and then enters.] I -a0e 0e li''le 'i*e '":da. A-, e, ae%&'

"# M. W"l44& li''le $il) Well, '-e%, i' d"%. W-a' -a0e "# '-ee)

ADELAIDE

I $"' a (a/1a$e 6

&EHRHAH

Wai' a *"*e%' 4i' 6 [%o WL6&W.] W-a' d" "# a%')

&)L*O&

I&d li1e '" e("' '-e +i'- "4 6

&EHRHAH



Ma''e "4 '-e (#+li/ e$i'. T-e +""1, Glae%a((. T-a' i '" a, I&ll a''e%d '" '-e "'-e a44ai

4i'. [%o 2$*. W&L)).] W-a'& '-e '"#+le a+"#' "# da#$-'e) Did M. K#e$e +"= -e ea

a$ai%)

MRS. &OLFF

Well, -e did%&' $" '-a' 4a %" 'i*e.

&EHRHAH

W-a'& '-e '"#+le, '-e%)

MRS. &OLFF

I'& a+"#' '-i -ee (a/1a$e 6

&EHRHAH

[%o 4LA*(A88.] Ha%&' M"'e +ee% -ee e')

+LASEA,,

N"' #( '" '-i 'i*e.

&EHRHAH

T-a'& i%/"*(e-e%i+le. Well, $il, -a' d" "# a%')

+LASEA,,

I'& i% '-e *a''e "4 '-e '"le% 4# /"a', "# -"%"#.

&EHRHAH

I '-a' ") <a%&' ("i+l a''e%d '" '-a' '"da. N" "%e /a% d" e0e'-i%$ a' "%/e. [%o 2$*.

W&L)).] S-e *a /"*e i% '":*"".

MRS. &OLFF

S-e& 'ied '" 'al1 '" "# a /"#(le "& 'i*e alead.

&EHRHAH

T-e% le' -e ' 4" a '-id 'i*e '":*"".

MRS. &OLFF

2#' M. K#e$e d"%&' $i0e -e %" (ea/e %" *"e.



&EHRHAH

W-a' -a M. K#e$e '" d" i'- i')

MRS. &OLFF

T-e $il e%' '" -i* i'- '-e (a/1a$e.

&EHRHAH

W-a' 1i%d "4 a a$ i '-a') Le' *e ee i'.

MRS. &OLFF

I'& all /"%%e/'ed i'- '-e +#i%e "4 '-e 4# /"a'. Lea'a '-a'& -a' M. K#e$e '-i%1.

&EHRHAH

W-a'& a((ed #( i% '-"e a$, e-)

MRS. &OLFF

T-ee& a $ee% ai':/"a' -a' +el"%$ '" M. K#e$e.

&EHRHAH

A%d "# 4"#%d '-a')

ADELAIDE

I 4"#%d i', "# -"%"#.

&EHRHAH

W-ee did "# 4i%d i')

ADELAIDE

T-a' a -e% I a $"i%& '" '-e 'ai% i'- *a*a. I a al1i%& al"%$ '-i a a%d '-ee 6

&EHRHAH

Ne0e *i%d a+"#' '-a' %". [%o 2$*. W&L)).] Ma1e "# de("i'i"% "*e 'i*e ""%. We /a%

/"*e +a/1 '" '-i *a''e '":*"".

MRS. &OLFF

O-, "'m illi%& e%"#$- 6



&EHRHAH

Well, -" i%&' '-e%)

MRS. &OLFF

M. K#e$e i " 0e a%=i"# a+"#' i'.

&EHRHAH

M. K#e$e, M. K#e$e8I /ae 0e li''le a+"#' -i*. T-e *a% 3#' i*(l a%%" *e. T-i%$li1e '-i /a%%"' +e ad3#'ed i% a da. He -a "44eed a ead a%d '-e *a''e -a +ee% (#+li-ed

i% '-e "44i/ial (a(e.

MRS. &OLFF

5"# /a%&' %e0e d" e%"#$- 4" -i*, '-"#$-.

&EHRHAH

W-a' d"e '-a' *ea%? e /a%&' d" e%"#$- 4" -i*) We -a0e e/"ded '-e 4a/' i% '-e /ae. Hi#(i/i"% 4ell #("% -i a-e"*a% a%d e -a0e ea/-ed -e -"#e. W-a' *"e d"e -e

a%') T-e *a% "#$-' '" 1ee( 7#ie'. 2#', a I aid, '":*"" I&* a' '-e e0i/e "4 '-i a44ai

a$ai%.

MRS. &OLFF

I'& all '-e a*e '" #. We /&% /"*e +a/1.

&EHRHAH

Ve ell, '-e%. T":*"" *"%i%$.

MRS. &OLFF

G""d *"%i%&.

ADELAIDE

[ ropping a courtsey.] G""d *"%i%&.

2$*. W&L)) and ALA" e/eunt.

&EHRHAH

[%urning o#er some documents. %o 4LA*(A88.] I&* /#i"# '" ee -a' '-e e#l' "4 all '-i

ill +e. M. M"'e -a 4i%all a$eed '" "44e i'%ee. He a '-e Deie "*a%, '-a' "ld



i'/- "4 a (a' /""1, "%/e '""d i'-i% ea-"' -e% Flei/-e e=(eed -i*el4

die(e/'4#ll. H" "ld i '-e "*a%, a%-")

+LASEA,,

S"*e-ee a"#%d e0e%', "# -"%"#.

&EHRHAH

A +i' /"%4#ed i% -e #((e '", e-)

+LASEA,,

De(e%d "% -" "# l""1 a' i'. S-e& 4ail e%i+le e'.

&EHRHAH

I /a% a#e "#, Glae%a((, '-a' i' "#ld +e %" e%d "4 a a'i4a/'i"% '" *e '" 4l#''e '-ee d"0e:/"'e -ee (e'' '-""#$-l. T-ee (e"(le "#$-' '" +e *ade '" 4eel '-a' '-e&e deali%$ i'-"*e+"d, a4'e all. W-" a+e%'ed -i*el4 4"* '-e 4e'i0i'ie "% '-e e*(e"& +i'-da)

Flei/-e, "4 /"#e. T-e *a% i i*(l /a(a+le "4 a%'-i%$. He /a% (#' "% all '-e i%%"/e%'

e=(ei"% -e (leae. We 1%" '-ee "l0e i% -ee(& /l"'-i%$. T-e&e '"" ee':'e*(eed '"-a* a 4l, +#' i4 '-e '-i%1 '-e "//ai"% -a /"*e, '-e -"#%d /a% +l" #( a -"le (la/e. Well,

-ee, a' lea', i' ill +e *ade '"" -"' 4" '-e*!

MOTES

[Comes in.] 5"# e0a%'.

&EHRHAH

Well, -" ae '-i%$ $"i%$)

MOTES

M. Deie aid '-a' -e "#ld +e -ee a"#%d ele0e%.

&EHRHAH

T-i *a''e ill a''a/' 7#i'e a li''le %"'i/e. I' ill, i 4a/', *a1e a $""d deal "4 %"ie. I 1%"

-a' ill +e aid? @T-a' *a% We--a-% ("1e -i %"e i%'" e0e'-i%$.@ Well, '-a%1 -ea0e%, I&*

(e(aed 4" '-a'. I&* %"' 'a%di%$ i% '-i (la/e 4" * (i0a'e a*#e*e%'. I -a0e%&' +ee% (#'-ee 4" 3e'. Pe"(le '-i%18a 3#'i/e, - -e& %"'-i%$ +#' a #(ei" 1i%d "4 $a"le. I% '-a' /ae

'-e /a% (#' "*e "%e ele -ee. T-e $e%'le*e%, '" +e #e, -" a(("i%'ed *e 1%" 0e ell

i'- -"* '-e ae deali%$. T-e 1%" '" '-e 4#ll '-e ei"#%e i'- -i/- I /"%/ei0e "4 *d#'ie. I /"%ide * "44i/e i% '-e li$-' "4 a a/ed /alli%$. [ 8ause.] I -a0e ed#/ed * e("' '"

'-e (#+li/ ("e/#'" '" i'i%$. I4 I e%d i' "44 a' %""% '":da, '-e /"**a%d "4 ae' /a% ea/-

# + da a4'e '":*"".



MOTES

N" e0e+"d ill +e /"*i%$ d"% "% *e.

&EHRHAH

5"# 1%" I -a0e a% #%/le -" i a /-a*+elai%. I&ll 'al1 '" -i* a+"#' "#. <"%4"#%d i' all!

T-ee /"*e Flei/-e! W-a' d"e '-a' 4ell" a%') D"e -e *ell a a' + a% /-a%/e) [ Aknocking is heard and W1$1A1( shouts3] <"*e i%!

FLEISCHER

[ nters, pale and e/cited.] G""d *"%i%$! [ 1e recei#es no answer.] I -"#ld li1e '" l"d$e

i%4"*a'i"% -i/- -a e4ee%/e '" '-e "++e e/e%'l /"**i''ed -ee.

&EHRHAH

[With his most penetrating oicial glance.] 5"# ae D. J"e(- Flei/-e)

FLEISCHER

#i'e i$-'. M %a*e i J"e(- Flei/-e.

&EHRHAH

A%d "# /"*e '" $i0e *e "*e i%4"*a'i"%.

FLEISCHER

I4 "# ill (e*i' *e, '-a' i -a' I -"#ld li1e '" d". I -a0e *ade a% "+e0a'i"% -i/- *a,

7#i'e ("i+l, -el( '-e a#'-"i'ie '" 'a/1 d"% '-e '-ie4 i% 7#e'i"%.

&EHRHAH

[ rums on the table with his ingers. 1e looks around at the others with an e/pression o

aected surprise which tempts them to laughter.] W-a' i '-i i*("'a%' "+e0a'i"% -i/- "#

-a0e *ade)

FLEISCHER

O4 /"#e, i4 "# -a0e (e0i"#l *ade #( "# *i%d '" a''a/- %" i*("'a%/e '" * e0ide%/e, I-"#ld (e4e 6

&EHRHAH

[9uickly and arrogantly.] W-a' "#ld "# (e4e)

FLEISCHER



T" -"ld * (ea/e.

&EHRHAH

[%urns to 2&%* with a look e/pressi#e o inability to understand )L"*C1$'* moti#es. %hen,

in a changed tone, with #ery supericial interest.] M 'i*e i a'-e 4#ll "//#(ied. I "#lde7#e' "# '" +e a +ie4 a ("i+le.

FLEISCHER

M 'i*e i %" le (eB*('ed. Ne0e'-ele I /"%ideed i' * d#' 6

&EHRHAH

[ "nterrupting.] 5"# /"%ideed i' "# d#'. Ve ell. N" 'ell # -a' "# 1%".

FLEISCHER

[Con0uering himsel.] I e%' +"a'i%$ e'eda. I -ad 'a1e% M. W"l44& +"a' a%d -e da#$-'ea "i%$.

&EHRHAH

Ae '-ee de'ail %e/eail (e'i%e%' '" '-e +#i%e i% -a%d)

FLEISCHER

T-e /e'ai%l ae8i% * "(i%i"%.

&EHRHAH

[ rumming impatiently on the table.] Ve ell! Ve ell! Le'& $e' "%!

FLEISCHER

We "ed '" '-e %ei$-+"#-""d "4 '-e l"/1. A li$-'e la a' a%/-" '-ee. T-e i/e, e ee a+le'" "+e0e, a (iled #( '-ee. T-e li$-'e -ad ("+a+l %"' +ee% a+le '" ("/eed.

&EHRHAH

H:*. I '-a' ") T-a' i%'ee' # a'-e le. W-a' i '-e 1e%el "4 '-i -"le '")

FLEISCHER

[ 6eeping his temper by main orce.] I *#' /"%4e '-a' '-i *e'-"d "4 6 I -a0e /"*e -ee 7#i'e0"l#%'ail '" "44e a 0"l#%'a e0i/e '" '-e a#'-"i'ie.

+LASEA,,



[ "mpudently.] Hi -"%"# i (eed 4" 'i*e. 5"# ae '" 'al1 le a%d 'a'e -a' "# -a0e '" a

+ie4l a%d /"*(a/'l.

&EHRHAH

[7ehemently.] Le'& $e' '" +#i%e a' "%/e. W-a' i i' "# a%')

FLEISCHER

[*till mastering himsel.] I a* /"%/e%ed '-a' '-e *a''e +e /leaed #(. A%d i% '-e i%'ee' "4 "ld

M. K#e$e, I ill 6

&EHRHAH

[:awning and bored.] T-e li$-' da99le *e; d" (#ll d"% '-e -ade.

FLEISCHER

O% '-e li$-'e a a% "ld +"a'*a%8("+a+l '-e "%e "4 '-e 0eel.

&EHRHAH

[:awning as beore.] 5e, *"' ("+a+l.

FLEISCHER

T-i *a% a' "% -i de/1 i% a 4# /"a' -i/-, a' a di'a%/e, I /"%ideed a +ea0e /"a'.

&EHRHAH

[ ored.] I *i$-' -a0e 'a1e% i' '" +e *a'e%.

FLEISCHER

I (#lled a /l"e #( '" -i* a ("i+le a%d '-# $ai%ed a 0e $""d 0ie. T-e *a% a a ("0e':

'i/1e%, l"0e%l +"a'*a% a%d '-e 4# /"a' ee*ed + %" *ea% a(("(ia'e. I' a, i% addi'i"%,a (e4e/'l %e /"a' 6

&EHRHAH

[ Apparently recollecting himsel.] I a* li'e%i%$, I a* li'e%i%$! Well) W-a' ele)

FLEISCHER

W-a' ele) N"'-i%$.

&EHRHAH



[Waking up thoroughly.] I '-"#$-' "# a%'ed '" l"d$e "*e i%4"*a'i"%. 5"# *e%'i"%ed

"*e'-i%$ i*("'a%'.

FLEISCHER

I -a0e aid all '-a' I -ad '" a.

&EHRHAH

5"# -a0e '"ld # a% a%e/d"'e a+"#' a +"a'*a% -" ea a 4# /"a'. Well, +"a'*e% d", %" d"#+',

%" a%d '-e% ea #/- /"a'. T-ee i %"'-i%$ %e " i%'ee'i%$ a+"#' '-a'.

FLEISCHER

5"# *a '-i%1 a+"#' '-a' a "# (leae. I% #/- /i/#*'a%/e I -a0e %" *"e '" a.

[ /it.

&EHRHAH

Well %", did "# e0e ee a%'-i%$ li1e '-a') M"e"0e, '-e 4ell" i a '-""#$- 4""l. A +"a'*a% -ad "% a 4# /"a'! W-, -a '-e *a% $"%e *ad) I ("e a +ea0e /"a' *el4. S#el

'-a' d"e%&' *a1e *e a '-ie4.8<"%4"#%d i' all! W-a'& '-a' a$ai%) I #(("e I a* '" $e' %" e'

'":da a' all! [%o 2"%%L&$), who is standing by the door.] D"%&' le' a%"%e ele i% %"! M.M"'e, d" *e '-e 4a0"# "4 $"i%$ "0e '" * a(a'*e%'. We /a% -a0e "# di/#i"% '-ee

i'-"#' i%'e#('i"%. T-ee& K#e$e 4" '-e -#%ded a%d 4i' 'i*e. He a/' a '-"#$- -e&d +ee%

'#%$ + a 'aa%'#la. I4 '-a' "ld a /"%'i%#e '" (la$#e *e, I&ll 1i/1 -i* 'ai$-' "#' "4 '-i ""*"*e da.

"n the open door 6$4$ becomes #isible, together with )L"*C1$ and 2$*.

W&L)).

MITTELDORF

[%o 6$4$.] Hi -"%"# /a%&' +e ee%, M. K#e$e.

*R)E+ER

N"%e%e! N"' '" +e ee%! I d"%&' /ae 4" #/- 'al1 a' all. [%o the others.] G" i$-' "%, i$-' "%!

I&d li1e '" ee!

All enter, 6$4$ leading the way.

&EHRHAH

I *#' e7#e' '-a' '-ee +e "*e-a' *"e 7#ie'. A "# ee, I a* -a0i%$ a /"%4ee%/e a'

(ee%'.



*R)E+ER

G" i$-' a-ead i'- i'. We /a% ai'. La'e "# /a% '-e% -a0e a /"%4ee%/e i'- #.

&EHRHAH

[%o 2&%*.] O0e i% * a(a'*e%', '-e%, i4 "# (leae. A%d i4 "# ee M. Deie, 'ell -e I -ad

a'-e 7#e'i"% -e '-ee '"". 5"# ee 4" "#el4? i' i%&' ("i+le -ee.

*R)E+ER

[ 8ointing to )L"*C1$.] T-i $e%'le*a% 1%" "*e'-i%$ a+"#' M. Deie '"". He -a

"*e d"/#*e%'a e0ide%/e.

MOTES

5"# -"%"#& e0a%'. I 'a1e * lea0e.

[ /it.

*R)E+ER

T-a'& a $""d '-i%$ 4" that *a% '" 'a1e.

&EHRHAH

5"# ill 1i%dl "*i' e*a1 "4 '-a' %a'#e.

*R)E+ER

I&ll a '-a' a$ai%. T-e *a% i a i%dle.

&EHRHAH

[ As though he had not heard, to WL6&W.] Well, -a' i i') I&ll $e' id "4 "# 4i'. T-e e/"d,

Glae%a((!8Wai', '-"#$-! I&ll elie0e *el4 "4 '-i +#i%e 4i'. [%o 6$4$.] I ill 4i'a''e%d '" "# a44ai.

*R)E+ER

5e, I *#' a1 "# 0e i%i'e%'l '" d" ".

&EHRHAH

S#(("e e lea0e '-a' @i%i'e%'l@ 7#i'e "#' "4 /"%idea'i"%. W-a' e7#e' -a0e "# '" *a1e)

*R)E+ER



N"%e a' all. I -a0e %" e7#e' '" *a1e. I a* -ee i% "de '" de*a%d -a' i * i$-'.

&EHRHAH

5"# i$-') A-, -a' i '-a', e=a/'l)

*R)E+ER

M $""d i$-'. I -a0e +ee% "++ed a%d i' i * i$-' '-a' '-e l"/al a#'-"i'ie aid *e i%e/"0ei%$ * '"le% ("ei"%.

&EHRHAH

Ha0e "# +ee% e4#ed #/- ai'a%/e)

*R)E+ER

<e'ai%l %"'. A%d '-a' i %"' ("i+le. Ne0e'-ele, i' i 7#i'e /lea '-a' %"'-i%$ i +ei%$ d"%e.T-e -"le a44ai i *a1i%$ %" ("$e.

&EHRHAH

5"# i*a$i%e '-a' '-i%$ li1e '-a' /a% +e d"%e i% a da " '".

*R)E+ER

I d"%&' i*a$i%e a%'-i%$, "# -"%"#. I -a0e 0e de4i%i'e (""4. 5"# ae 'a1i%$ %" i%'ee' i%

* a44ai.

&EHRHAH

I /"#ld i%'e#(' "# a' '-i 0e ("i%'. I' lie e%'iel +e"%d '-e d#'ie "4 * "44i/e '" li'e% '"i*(#'a'i"% "4 '-a' %a'#e. F" '-e (ee%', -"e0e, "# *a /"%'i%#e.

*R)E+ER

5"# /"#ld %"' i%'e#(' *e a' all. A a /i'i9e% "4 '-e P#ia% 'a'e I -a0e * i$-'. A%d e0e% i4

"# i%'e#(' *e -ee, '-ee ae "'-e (la/e -ee I /"#ld *a1e * /"*(lai%'. I e(ea' '-a' "#

ae %"' -"i%$ a% i%'ee' i% * a44ai.

&EHRHAH

[ Apparently calm.] S#(("e "# ("0e '-a'.

*R)E+ER



[ 8ointing to 2$*. W&L)) and her daughter.] T-i "*a% -ee /a*e '" "#. He da#$-'e *ade

a 4i%d. S-e did%&' -i1 '-e a, "# -"%"#, al'-"#$- -e i a ("" "*a%. 5"# '#%ed -e "44

"%/e +e4"e a%d -e /a*e +a/1 '":da 6

MRS. &OLFF

2#' -i -"%"# did%&' -a0e %" 'i*e, "# 1%".

&EHRHAH

G" "%, (leae!

*R)E+ER

I ill. I&* %"' '-"#$- e' + a% *ea%. W-a' did "# a '" '-e "*a%) 5"# aid '" -e 7#i'e

i*(l '-a' "# -ad %" 'i*e 4" '-e *a''e i% 7#e'i"%. 5"# did %"' e0e% 7#e'i"% -e da#$-'e.5"# d"%&' 1%" '-e li$-'e' /i/#*'a%/e? "# d"%&' 1%" a%'-i%$ a+"#' '-e e%'ie "//#e%/e.

&EHRHAH

I ill -a0e '" a1 "# '" *"dea'e "#el4 a li''le.

*R)E+ER

M e=(ei"% ae *"dea'e; '-e ae e='e*el *"dea'e. I a* 4a '"" *"dea'e, "# -"%"#.

M e%'ie /-aa/'e i 4a '"" 4#ll "4 *"dea'i"%. I4 i' ee %"', -a' d" "# '-i%1 I "#ld a)W-a' 1i%d "4 a% i%0e'i$a'i"% i '-i) T-i $e%'le*a% -ee, D. Flei/-e, /a*e '" "# '" e("'

a% "+e0a'i"% -i/- -e -a *ade. A +"a'*a% ea a +ea0e /"a' 6

&EHRHAH

[ $aising his hand.] J#' ai' a *"*e%'. [%o WL6&W.] 5"# ae a +"a'*a%, ae%&' "#)

&)L*O&

I +ee% "#' "% '-e i0e 4" '-i' ea.

&EHRHAH

Ae "# %e0"#) 5"# ee* '" 'i'/-.

&)L*O&

I eel did -a0e a li''le /ae. T-a'& a 4a/&.

&EHRHAH

D" '-e +"a'*e% "% '-e S(ee 4e7#e%'l ea 4# /"a')



&)L*O&

A $""d *a% "4 &e* -a 4# /"a'. T-a'& i$-' e%"#$-.

&EHRHAH

T-i $e%'le*a% a a +"a'*a% -" '""d "% -i de/1 eai%$ a 4# /"a'.

&)L*O&

T-ee ai%&' %"'-i%& #(i/i"# a+"#' '-a', "# -"%"#. T-ee& *a% a -a 4i%e /"a'. I $"' "%e*el4, i% 4a/&.

&EHRHAH

5"# "+e0e? '-e *a% -i*el4 "% a 4# /"a'.

FLEISCHER

2#' '-e% -e -a%&' e=a/'l a +ea0e /"a'.

&EHRHAH

5"# ee %"' i% a ("i'i"% '" di/"0e '-a'.

*R)E+ER

W-a') Ha '-i *a% a +ea0e /"a')

&)L*O&

T-ee& *a% "4 &e*, I /&% 'ell "#, a -a '-e 4i%e' +ea0e /"a'. A%& - %"') We *a1e

e%"#$-.

&EHRHAH

[ )illed with a sense o triumph but pretending indierence.] E=a/'l. [ Lightly.] N", (leae $""%, M. K#e$e. T-a' a "%l a li''le ide:(la. I i*(l a%'ed '" *a1e /lea '" "# '-e 0al#e

"4 '-a' ":/alled @"+e0a'i"%.@85"# ee %" '-a' '-i *a% -i*el4 "% a 4# /"a'. [ 2ore

#iolently.] W"#ld i' '-ee4"e "//# '" # i% "# ilde' *"*e%' '" ae' '-a' -e -a '"le% '-e

/"a') T-a' "#ld i*(l +e a% a+#di'.

*R)E+ER

W-a8) I d"%&' #%de'a%d a "d.

&EHRHAH



T-e% I *#' 'al1 "*e-a' l"#de 'ill. A%d i%/e I a* 'al1i%$ '" "# %", '-ee& "*e'-i%$ ele

I *i$-' a ell a '" "#8%"' i% * /a(a/i' a 3#'i/e, +#' i*(l *a% '" *a%, M. K#e$e. A

*a% -" i a4'e all a% -"%"#a+le /i'i9e% -"#ld +e *"e /-a "4 -i /"%4ide%/e8-e -"#ld%"' add#/e '-e e0ide%/e "4 (e"(le 6

*R)E+ER

Ae "# 'al1i%$ a+"#' * a"/ia'e) 2y a"/ia'e)

&EHRHAH

E=a/'l '-a'.

*R)E+ER

I% '-a' /ae "# -ad +e''e 'a1e /ae "4 "#el4. Pe"(le li1e M"'e, i'- -"* "# a"/ia'e,ee 1i/1ed "#' "4 * -"#e.

FLEISCHER

I a "+li$ed '" -" '-e d"" '" '-i (e"% -"* "# e/ei0e i% "# (i0a'e a(a'*e%'!

*R)E+ER

He /-ea'ed *e "#' "4 * e%'.

MRS. &OLFF

T-ee ai%&' *a% i% '-i 0illa$e '-a' '-a' *a% ai%&' /-ea'ed all a8/-ea'ed "#' "& (e%%ie a%&-illi%&, a%& /"% a%& $"ld (ie/e.

*R)E+ER

He -a a e$#la 'e* "4 e=a/'i%$ 'i+#'e.

FLEISCHER

[ 8ulling a document out o his pocket.] M"e '-a% '-a', '-e 4ell" i i(e 4" '-e (#+li/

("e/#'". [ 1e places the document on the table.] I "#ld e7#e' "# '" ead '-i '-"#$-.

*R)E+ER

M. Deie -a i$%ed '-a' (a(e -eel4. M"'e 'ied '" i%0ei$le -e i%'" /"**i''i%$ (e3#.

FLEISCHER

S-e a '" $i0e e0ide%/e a$ai%' *e.



*R)E+ER

[ 8utting his hand on )L"*C1$'* arm.] T-i $e%'le*a% i "4 #%+le*i-ed /"%d#/' a%d '-a'

/"#%del a%'ed '" $e' -i* i%'" '"#+le. A%d "# le%d "# ai'a%/e '" #/- '-i%$!

CCAll (ea1 a' "%/e.CC

&EHRHAH

M (a'ie%/e i e=-a#'ed %". W-a'e0e deali%$ "# *a -a0e i'- M"'e d"%&' /"%/e% *e

a%d ae e%'iel i%di44ee%' '" *e. [%o )L"*C1$.] 5"#&ll +e $""d e%"#$- '" e*"0e '-a' a$!

*R)E+ER

[ Alternately to 2$*. W&L)) and to 4LA*(A88.] T-a' *a% i -i -"%"#& 4ie%d? '-a' i -i

"#/e "4 i%4"*a'i"%. A 4i%e i'#a'i"%. We *i$-' +e''e /all -i* a "#/e "4 de4a*a'i"%!

FLEISCHER

[%o 2"%%L&$).] I&* %"' a//"#%'a+le '" a% "%e. I'& * "% +#i%e -a' I d"; i'& * "%

+#i%e i'- -"* I a"/ia'e; i'& * "% +#i%e -a' I /-""e '" '-i%1 a%d i'e!

+LASEA,,

W- "# /a%&' -ea "# "% "d i% '-i (la/e %" *"e! 5"# -"%"#, -all I $" a%& 4e'/- a

("li/e*a%) I /a% #% i$-' "0e a%d $e' "%e. Mi''eld"4!6

CCE%d allCC

&EHRHAH

#ie', (leae! [9uiet is restored. %o )L"*C1$.] 5"# ill (leae e*"0e '-a' a$.

FLEISCHER

[&beys.] T-a' a$, a "# /all i', ill +e 4"aded '" '-e (#+li/ ("e/#'".

&EHRHAH

5"# *a d" a+"#' '-a' e=a/'l a "# (leae. [ 1e arises and takes rom a case in the wall the

package brought by 2$*. W&L)).] Le' # 4i%all di("e "4 '-i *a''e, '-e%. [%o 2$*.W&L)).] W-ee did "# 4i%d '-i '-i%$)

MRS. &OLFF

I' ai%&' *e '-a' 4"#%d i' a' all.

&EHRHAH



Well, -" did 4i%d i')

MRS. &OLFF

M "#%$e' da#$-'e.

&EHRHAH

Well, - did%&' "# +i%$ -e i'- "# '-e%)

MRS. &OLFF

S-e a -ee, all i$-', "# -"%"#. A%& '-e%, I /&% $" "0e a%& 4e'/- -e i% a *i%#'e.

&EHRHAH

T-a' "#ld "%l e0e '" dela '-e -"le +#i%e a$ai%. Did%&' '-e $il 'ell "# a%'-i%$ a+"#'

i')

*R)E+ER

5"# aid i' a 4"#%d "% '-e a '" '-e aila 'a'i"%.

&EHRHAH

I% '-a' /ae '-e '-ie4 i ("+a+l i% 2eli%, T-a' "%&' *a1e "# ea/- a% eaie.

*R)E+ER

I d"%&' +elie0e '-a' a' all, "# -"%"#, M. Flei/-e ee* '" *e '" -a0e a% e%'iel /"e/'

"(i%i"%. T-e -"le +#i%e i'- '-e (a/1a$e i a 'i/1 *ea%' '" *ilead #.

MRS. &OLFF

Well, ell. T-a'& *i$-' ("i+le.

&EHRHAH

N", M. W"l44, "#&e %"' " '#(id a a #le. T-i%$ '-a' ae '"le% -ee $" i% '" 2eli%. T-a'4# /"a' a "ld i% 2eli% +e4"e e e0e% 1%e '-a' i' a '"le%.

MRS. &OLFF

N", "# -"%"#, I /a%&' -el( i', +#' I ai%&' 7#i'e, %"' 7#i'e "4 '-e a*e "(i%i"%. I4 '-e '-ie4 i i%

2eli%, -, I a=, d"e -e -a0e '" $" a%& l"e a (a/1a$e li1e '-a')

&EHRHAH



S#/- '-i%$ ae %"' ala l"' i%'e%'i"%all.

MRS. &OLFF

J#' l""1 a' '-a' '-ee (a/1a$e. I'& all (a/1ed #( " %i/e8'-e 0e', '-e 1e, a%& '-e +i' "& (a(e 6

*R)E+ER

I +elie0e '-e '-ie4 '" +e i% '-i 0e (la/e.

MRS. &OLFF

[Conirming him.] Well, "# ee, M. K#e$e.

*R)E+ER

I 4i*l +elie0e i'.

&EHRHAH

S", +#' I d" %"' i%/li%e '" '-a' "(i%i"%. M e=(eie%/e i 4a '"" l"%$ 6

*R)E+ER

W-a') A l"%$ e=(eie%/e) H:*!

&EHRHAH

<e'ai%l. A%d "% '-e +ai "4 '-a' e=(eie%/e I 1%" '-a' '-e /-a%/e "4 '-e /"a' +ei%$ -ee %eed/a/el +e 'a1e% i%'" a//"#%'.

MRS. &OLFF

Well, ell, e -"#ld%&' $" a%& de% '-i%$ '-a' a, "# -"%"#.

*R)E+ER

[ $eerring to )L"*C1$.] A%d '-e% -e a '-e +"a'*a% 6

&EHRHAH

D"%&' +"'-e *e i'- '-a' '". I&d -a0e '" $" ea/-i%$ (e"(le& -"#e e0e da i'- 'e%'/"%'a+le a%d ("li/e*e%, I&d -a0e '" ea/- e0e -"#e i% '-e 0illa$e.

MRS. &OLFF

T-e% "# +e''e $" a%& 'a' i'- * -"#e, "# -"%"#.



&EHRHAH

Well, i%&' '-a' idi/#l"#) N", %", $e%'le*e%? '-a'& %"' '-e a. T-a' *e'-"d ill lead #

%"-i'-e, %" " la'e. 5"# *#' $i0e *e e%'ie 4eed"* "4 a/'i"%. I -a0e * "% #(i/i"%a%d ill /"%'i%#e '" *a1e * "+e0a'i"%. T-ee ae a %#*+e "4 -ad /-aa/'e -ee "%

-"* I -a0e * ee. Eal i% '-e *"%i%$ '-e ide i% '" 2eli% i'- -ea0 +a1e' "% '-ei

+a/1, a%d i% '-e e0e%i%$ '-e +i%$ -"*e '-e a*e +a1e' e*('.

*R)E+ER

I #(("e "# *ea% '-e 0e$e'a+le -#/1'e. T-a'& -a' '-e d".

&EHRHAH

N"' "%l '-e 0e$e'a+le -#/1'e, M. K#e$e. A%d I -a0e %" d"#+' +#' '-a' "# /"a' 'a0elled

i% '-e a*e a.

MRS. &OLFF

T-a'& ("i+le, all i$-'. T-ee ai%&' %"'-i%& i*("i+le i% this "ld, I 'ell "#.

&EHRHAH

Well, '-e%! N", -a' did "# a%' '" a%%"#%/e)

&)L*O&

A li''le $il, "# -"%"#.

&EHRHAH

I ill d" all '-a' i ("i+le.

*R)E+ER

I "%&' le' '-e *a''e e' #%'il I $e' +a/1 * /"a'.

&EHRHAH

Well, -a'e0e /a% +e d"%e ill +e d"%e. M. W"l44 /a% #e -e ea a li''le.

MRS. &OLFF

T-e '"#+le i I d"%&' 1%" -" '" a/' li1e a (. 2#' i4 '-i%$ li1e '-a' d"%&' /"*e "#'8'-eeai%&' %" ai%& -a'& a4e %" *"e.

*R)E+ER



5"# ae 7#i'e i$-', M. W"l44, 7#i'e i$-'. [%o W1$1A1(.] I *#' a1 "# '" e=a*i%e '-a'

(a/1a$e /ae4#ll. T-e -a%di'i%$ "% '-e li( '-a' a 4"#%d i% i' *a lead '" a di/"0e. A%d

da a4'e '":*"" *"%i%$, "# -"%"#, I ill 'a1e '-e li+e' "4 '"#+li%$ "# a$ai%. G""d*"%i%$!

[ /it.

FLEISCHER

G""d *"%i%$.

[ /it.

&EHRHAH

[%o WL6&W.] H" "ld ae "#)8T-ee& "*e'-i%$ "%$ i'- '-"e '" 4ell" #( -ee.[ 1e touches his orehead. %o WL6&W.] W-a' i "# %a*e)

&)L*O&

A#$#' P-ili( W#l1".

&EHRHAH

[%o 2"%%L&$).] G" "0e '" * a(a'*e%'. T-a' M"'e i 'ill i''i%$ '-ee a%d ai'i%$. Tell

-i* I a* " +#' I -a0e "'-e '-i%$ '" d" '-i *"%i%$.

MITTELDORF

A%& "# d"%&' a%' -i* '" ai')

&EHRHAH

[ 1arshly.] N", -e %eed%&' ai'!

[ 2"%%L&$), e/it.

&EHRHAH

[%o 2$*. W&L)).] D" "# 1%" '-i a#'-" M"'e)

MRS. &OLFF

W-e% i' /"*e '" (e"(le li1e '-a', "# -"%"#, I&d a'-e $" a%& -"ld * '"%$#e. T-ee ai%&'*#/- $""d '-a' I /"#ld 'ell "#.

&EHRHAH



[ "ronically.] 2#' "# /"#ld 'ell *e a $ea' deal '-a'& $""d a+"#' Flei/-e.

MRS. &OLFF

He ai%&' %" +ad "', a%& '-a'& a 4a/&.

&EHRHAH

I #(("e "#&e 'i%$ '" +e a +i' /ae4#l i% -a' "# a.

MRS. &OLFF

N", I ai%&' *#/- $""d a' '-a'. I&* i$-' "#' i'- '-i%$, "# -"%"#. I4 I -ad%&' ala $"%e a%& +ee% i$-' "#' i'- -a' I $"' '" a, I *i$-' -a& +ee% a $""d +i' 4#'-e al"%$ i% '-e "ld.

&EHRHAH

T-a' ("li/ -a %e0e d"%e "# a% -a* i'- *e.

MRS. &OLFF

N", %"' i'- "#, "# -"%"#. 5"# /&% 'a%d +ei%& ("1e% '" -"%e'. N"+"d d"%&' %eed '" +e %ea1 &"#%d "#.

&EHRHAH

I% -"'? Flei/-e i a *a% "4 -"%"#.

MRS. &OLFF

T-a' -e i! T-a' -e i!

&EHRHAH

Well, "# e*e*+e * "d "4 '":da.

MRS. &OLFF

A%& "# e*e*+e *i%e.

&EHRHAH

Ve ell. T-e 4#'#e ill -". [ 1e stretches himsel, gets up, and stamps his eet gently on the

loor. %o WL6&W.] T-i i "# e=/elle%' a-e"*a%. S-e '-i%1 '-a' all (e"(le ae li1e

-eel4. [%o 2$*. W&L)).] 2#' #%4"'#%a'el '-e "ld i di44ee%'l *ade. 5"# ee -#*a% +ei%$ 4"* '-e "#'ide; a *a% li1e *el4 -a lea%ed '" l""1 a li''le dee(e. [ 1e takes a ew paces, then stops beore her and lays his hand on her shoulder.] A%d a #el a i' i '#e -e% I



a? M. W"l44 i a% -"%e' "*a%; " #el I 'ell "#? '-i D. Flei/-e "4 "#, "4 -"* e

ee (ea1i%$, i a '-""#$-l da%$e"# (e"%!

MRS. &OLFF

[*haking her head resignedly.] Well, '-e% I d"%&' 1%" %" *"e -a' '" '-i%1 6

THE C)RTAI FALLS

the beaver coat

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