Moral | Page 5

I were younger, Herr Dobler, I
would certainly make believe that I read your book. But at my age I
find that sort of thing too tiresome. What is the "Life Story of Hans"?
DOBLER. It is a novel, gnadige Frau.
BOLLAND. A masterpiece.
FRAU LUND. Then my ignorance is unpardonable. I'll soon make
reparation.

[Frau Bolland followed by Effie, Dr. Wasner and Fraulein Koch hurry
out of the music room.]
FRAU BOLLAND. I am off for the Arts Club. I'll be late, I fear. [To
Frau Lund.] Oh, how do you do, Frau Lund?
EFFIE [hurries over to Frau Lund and kisses her hand]. Mama Lund!
FRAU LUND. How is my little mischief maker? When are you coming
to see me?
EFFIE. I would glady come ... but, I am so busy with music lessons and
Professor Stohr's lectures ...
FRAU LUND. And this and that and your eighteen years. You are quite
right, my dear.
FRAU BOLLAND [to Frau Beermann]. May Effie come along? They
say there are very won-der-ful paintings at the Arts Club.
FRAU BEERMANN [turning to Frau Lund], I don't know if ...
FRAU LUND. Of course, let her go along. She has such a pretty little
dress. Why should she be here with us old people? The gentlemen will
entertain us ...
FRAU BOLLAND. But then we'll have to hurry. It is quite late.
Goodbye, Frau Beermann. I enjoyed myself so much. Goodbye, my
dear Frau Lund. So glad to have seen you again. Goodbye, goodbye ...
Adolph!
BOLLAND. Yes, Mother.
FRAU BOLLAND. You won't forget the theatre tonight? At eight. The
Viennese actor is so fine. [Off to left. Followed by Effie and Fraulein
Koch. Frau Bolland in the doorway.]
FRAU BOLLAND. Will you come with us, Herr Dobler? You can
explain so many things.
DOBLER. I'll be glad to. [Shaking hands with Frau Beermann and
bowing.]
BEERMANN. Come soon again, Herr Poet.
BOLLAND. And think over the story I told you.
[Dobler goes out left, following Frau Bolland, Effie, and Fraulein
Koch.]
FRAU LUND [to Frau Beermann]. I'll just have a cup of coffee.
FRAU BEERMANN. I'll tell them to make a fresh cup for you. A fresh
cup of coffee. [To the butler who is clearing the table.] Tell the
chef--[Butler goes out through the middle door. In the meantime Frau

Holland again appears through left.]
FRAU BOLLAND. Adolph!
BOLLAND. Yes--wifey?
FRAU BOLLAND. Thursday the circus comes to town, don't forget to
reserve seats.
BOLLAND. All right!
FRAU BOLLAND [while going out]. I'm still a child when the circus
comes.
[Frau Lund seats herself on sofa. Next to her on the right Frau
Beermann; Beermann and Bolland sit opposite in large leather chairs.
Hauser is standing behind the sofa leaning against it.]
FRAU LUND [to Hauser]. Tell me Judge, where have you been
keeping yourself all this time?
HAUSER. In my office, Frau Lund, only in my office. But I hear that
you were on the Riviera.
FRAU LUND. Four weeks in Monte Carlo. Children, I gambled like an
old viveur.
BEERMANN. What luck?
FRAU LUND. I lost, of course--I'm too old to set the world on fire. But,
Beermann, I hear all sorts of surprises about you. You are a candidate
for the Reichstag?
BEERMANN. Yes, they nominated me.
FRAU LUND. Who are "they"?
BEERMANN. The combined Liberals and Conservatives ...
HAUSER. And the Conservatives and Liberals combined.
FRAU LUND. Formerly these were distinct parties.
HAUSER. Formerly,--formerly.
BEERMANN. Now there is fusion.
FRAU LUND [to Frau Beermann]. You never told me that your
husband was in politics.
FRAU BEERMANN. He never was--up to two weeks ago.
FRAU LUND. How quickly things change! And of all the people ...
you!
BEERMANN. What's so startling in that?
FRAU LUND. You told me that you never even read the newspapers.
BOLLAND. We all are cordially grateful to Beermann that in an hour
of need he made this sacrifice.

FRAU LUND. The way you talk about the "hour of need" and
"sacrifice" Herr Kommerzienrat, it seems to me that you would have
been the better candidate.
BOLLAND. Oh, I am too pronouncedly Liberal.
HAUSER. And that's an incurable disease!
BOLLAND. At any rate it makes my nomination impossible. A man
was needed who was not known as a party-man.
FRAU LUND. It would seem then that our friend Beermann has
become a politician because he ... is no politician?
HAUSER. That's what is known as "fusion."
BEERMANN. Allow me to ask a question. Why should I not become a
Reichstag deputy?
HAUSER. Quite right! Frau Lund--tell him--why shouldn't he?
BEERMANN. Because I am a novice in politics? We all have to make
a start.
HAUSER. It's the only calling where one can start any day, Frau Lund,
without being called upon to produce qualifications.
BOLLAND. There you