Yes. Then you will think, perhaps too late: "Had I only gone!"
MARY.
But mother, if I were in the forest, and father should meet me? Or if he should find us together?
SOPHY.
We must ask him, whether he is going to stay home.
MARY.
I cannot look at him without feeling as if my heart were bursting.
SOPHY.
Ask him on account of the soup.
MARY.
I shall ask him at once.
[_She approaches the_ FORESTER _timidly, stands next to him without his noticing her_.]
SOPHY (_encouraging her_).
Don"t be a child.
MARY (_softly_).
Father!
[_She bends over him, beside herself with pity_.]
Father, poor father!
[_Is going to embrace him_.]
FORESTER (_looking about, roughly_).
What"s the matter? No lamentations!
SOPHY (_as_ MARY _stands disconcerted_).
Mary--
MARY (_controls herself_).
Are you again going into the forest tonight?
FORESTER.
Why?
MARY.
Because--
SOPHY (_interrupts, for fear_ MARY _might tell the truth_).
Because of the soup; she wants to know whether she is to warm it.
FORESTER.
No. And what are you waiting for, you silly wench?
[_Turns away. As_ MARY _hesitates, calls out roughly_.]
Do you hear?
MARY (_goes back to_ SOPHY).
Mother, he has been crying! I saw a tear hanging on his eye-lash, mother! And I am about to deceive him!
SOPHY.
He is crying because in his old age he has to go forth into misery.--And as to you--why, you are not obliged to go.
MARY.
If you speak in that way, mother!--I am going.
SOPHY.
Then say good-night to him. It is time. Afterward I shall help you climb out of the window. At this moment Robert is already waiting. You can be back soon.
MARY.
Yes, mother, I will go. But not for Robert"s sake, mother, nor for mine; only for father"s sake. I will tell him: "Robert," I will say to him, "you will yet find a girl, more beautiful and better than myself, but my father will not find another child, if I leave him." I will tell him: "Robert," I will say to him, "I will forget you! G.o.d will give me strength that I may be able to forget you. Remain away from me, so that I may not see you again." G.o.d will help me, mother, will he not? He will, for I did love Robert so much.
SOPHY.
Now go. Say good-night and don"t betray yourself.
[MARY _stands by the_ FORESTER.]
SOPHY.
Mary wants to say good-night to you.