Yes, yes; that is my debt too.
HEFFTERDINGT.
Then you see, Miss Magda, began my work. If I speak of it, you must not think I am pluming myself on it to you. What good would that do me? For a long, long time I nursed him, and by degrees I saw his mind revive again. First I let him collect slugs from the rose-bushes.
MAGDA.
[_With a shudder_.] Ugh!
HEFFTERDINGT.
Yes, so far had it gone; then I gave him charge of some money, and then I made him my a.s.sistant in the inst.i.tutions with whose management I was intrusted. There is a hospital and a soup-kitchen and an infirmary, and it makes a great deal to be done. So he became a man once more. I have tried to influence your step-mother too; not because I was greedy for power. Perhaps you"ll think that of me. In short, the old tension between her and Marie has been slowly smoothed away. Love and confidence have descended upon the house.
MAGDA.
[_Staring at him_.] And why did you do all this?
HEFFTERDINGT.
Well, first it is my calling. Then I did it for his sake, for I love the old man; and above all--for--your sake.
[Magda _starts, and points to herself interrogatively_.]
HEFFTERDINGT.
Yes, for your sake. For this weighed upon me: The day will come when she will turn homeward,--perhaps as victor; but perhaps also as vanquished, broken and ruined in body and soul-- Pardon me these thoughts, I had heard nothing of you-- In either case she shall find a home ready for her. That was my work, the work of long years; and now I implore you not to destroy it.
MAGDA.
[_In anguish_.] If you knew through what I have pa.s.sed, you would not try to keep me.
HEFFTERDINGT.
That is all shut out. This is home. Let it alone; forget it.
MAGDA.
How can I forget it? How dare I?
HEFFTERDINGT.
Why should you resist when all stretch their hands out to you in rejoicing? It"s very easy. Let your heart speak when you see all around overflowing with love for you.
MAGDA.
[_In tears_.] You make me a child again. [_A pause_.]
HEFFTERDINGT.
Then you will stay?
MAGDA.
[_Springing up_.] But they must not question me!
HEFFTERDINGT.
Must not question you?
MAGDA.
About my life outside there. They wouldn"t understand,--none of them; not even you.
HEFFTERDINGT.
Well, then, they sha"n"t.
MAGDA.
And you will promise me, for yourself and for the others?
HEFFTERDINGT.
Yes, I can promise it.
MAGDA.
[_In a stifled voice_.] Call them, then.
HEFFTERDINGT.
[_Opening the door on the left_.] She will stay.
_Enter_ Marie; _then_ Mrs. Schwartze, Franziska, _and_ Schwartze. Marie _throws herself joyfully into_ Magda"s _arms_. Mrs. Schwartze _also embraces her_.
SCHWARTZE.
It was your duty, my child.
MAGDA.
Yes, father. [_She softly takes his right hand in both of hers, and carries it tenderly to her lips_.]
FRANZISKA.
Thank Heaven! Now we can have supper at last! [_Opens the sliding door into the dining-room. The supper-table is seen, all set, and lighted brightly by a green-shaded hanging-lamp_.]
MAGDA.