Your offer did not exactly meet with the kindest reception. And yet, who knows whether, after all, he had not agreed to it, if unfortunately the affair with Andrew--
STEIN.
With Andrew? What affair?
[_Jumps up_.]
You don"t mean to say he has come to blows with Robert?
PASTOR.
This time only with G.o.dfrey--
STEIN (_sits down again_).
You see I am trembling with impatience.
PASTOR.
G.o.dfrey, intoxicated as usual, treated him like a prowling thief, had him whipped--
[STEIN _jumps up again_.]
PASTOR.
Then it was no wonder that the old man would no longer listen to anything, and gave orders to treat as a poacher every one, except you, who enters the forest with a gun.
STEIN (_who has been walking up and down_).
Bastian!
[BASTIAN _appears at the door_.]
As soon as Moller comes the scoundrel shall be deposed, the brute shall be locked up--do you hear?
BASTIAN.
The bookkeeper?
STEIN.
G.o.dfrey--and Moller with him, if he--come, pastor.
[_Takes his hat and cane. Exit_ BASTIAN.]
PASTOR.
You intend--
STEIN.
You ask?--I am going to the old man! I am going to brush away those caprices in spite of all Wilkens and Mollers!
PASTOR.
That"s right! I am with you. [_Rises_.]
STEIN (_stops_).
Wait a moment, parson. Am I to have had that good idea in vain? Listen, what came into my mind a little while ago--as if straight from heaven!
Parson, what do you say if this very day I should transfer Dusterwalde to Robert as his own independent property? He could reinstate the old man with all honors, and n.o.body"s dignity would be hurt. I shall immediately draw up the deed of transfer. Go quickly to the forester"s house, parson.
PASTOR.
With this message--
STEIN.
Before the old man, or the hotheaded boys, or all three, do something impetuous which--
[_Makes preparations for writing_.]
PASTOR.
And tomorrow--
STEIN.
As if today had never been--
PASTOR.
Mr. Stein comes as usual around the corner of the forester"s house and knocks at the window, and the white moustache inside grunts his "Immediately--"
STEIN.
And if you meet Robert--
PASTOR.
I shall be the first one to congratulate the new proprietor of Dusterwalde.
STEIN.
And today you bring them all along--the old man, the boys, the mother and the bride. Then[_advances to the pastor at the door_], as a preliminary celebration we"ll crack a bottle of my oldest Johannisberger. But what is the matter out there? Who comes rushing up the stairs?
[_At the door_.] What has happened?