Minna von Barnhelm | Page 8

have no business to speak to you,
your malicious pranks, your love of revenge,--
JUST. Make me as bad as you will, I shall not think worse of myself
than of my dog. Last winter I was walking one evening at dusk along
the river, when I heard something whine. I stooped down, and reached
in the direction whence the sound came, and when I thought I was
saving a child, I pulled a dog out of the water. That is well, thought I.
The dog followed me; but I am not fond of dogs, so I drove him
away--in vain. I whipped him away--in vain. I shut him out of my room
at night; he lay down before the door. If he came too near me, I kicked
him; he yelped, looked up at me, and wagged his tail. I have never yet
given him a bit of bread with my own hand; and yet I am the only
person whom he will obey, or who dare touch him. He jumps about me,
and shows off his tricks to me, without my asking for them. He is an
ugly dog, but he is a good animal. If he carries it on much longer, I
shall at last give over hating him.
MAJ. T. (aside). As I do him. No, there is no one perfectly inhuman.
Just, we will not part.
JUST. Certainly not! And you wanted to manage without servants! You
forget your wounds, and that you only have the use of one arm. Why,
you are not able to dress alone. I am indispensable to you; and I
am--without boasting, Major,--I am a servant who, if the worst comes
to the worst, can beg and steal for his master.
MAJ. T. Just, we will part.
JUST. All right, Sir!

SCENE IX. Servant, Major von Tellheim, Just
SER. I say, comrade!
JUST. What is the matter?

SER. Can you direct me to the officer who lodged yesterday in that
room? (Pointing to the one out of which he is coming).
JUST. That I could easily do. What have you got for him?
SER. What we always have, when we have nothing--compliments. My
mistress hears that he has been turned out on her account. My mistress
knows good manners, and I am therefore to beg his pardon.
JUST. Well then, beg his pardon; there he stands.
SER. What is he? What is his name?
MAJ. T. I have already heard your message, my friend. It is
unnecessary politeness on the part of your mistress, which I beg to
acknowledge duly. Present my compliments to her. What is the name
of your mistress?
SER. Her name! We call her my Lady.
MAJ. T. The name of her family?
SER. I have not heard that yet, and it is not my business to ask. I
manage so that I generally get a new master every six weeks. Hang all
their names!
JUST. Bravo, comrade!
SER. I was engaged by my present mistress a few days ago, in Dresden.
I believe she has come here to look for her lover.
MAJ. T. Enough, friend. I wished to know the name of your mistress,
not her secrets. Go!
SER. Comrade, he would not do for my master.

SCENE X. Major von Tellheim, Just
MAJ. T. Just! see that we get out of this house directly! The politeness
of this strange lady affects me more than the churlishness of the host.
Here, take this ring--the only thing of value which I have left--of which
I never thought such a use. Pawn it! get eighty louis d'ors for it: our
host's bill can scarcely amount to thirty. Pay him, and remove my
things. . . . Ah, where? Where you will. The cheaper the inn, the better.
You will find me in the neighbouring coffee-house. I am going; you
will see to it all properly?
JUST. Have no fear, Major!
MAJ. T. (comes back). Above all things, do not let my pistols be
forgotten, which hang beside the bed.
JUST. I will forget nothing.

MAJ. T. (comes back again). Another thing: bring your dog with you
too. Do you hear, Just?

SCENE XI. Just
JUST. The dog will not stay behind, he will take care of that. Hem! My
master still had this valuable ring and carried it in his pocket instead of
on his finger! My good landlord, we are not yet so poor as we look. To
him himself, I will pawn you, you beautiful little ring! I know he will
be annoyed that you will not all be consumed in his house. Ah!

SCENE XII. Paul Werner, Just
JUST. Hullo, Werner! good-day to you, Werner. Welcome to the town.
WER. The accursed village! I can't manage to get at home in