class="sc2">Auguste

} Their daughters Alma Michalski A joiner, Auguste's husband Frau Hebenstreit The Gardener's wife } In Muhlingk's service Wilhelm A servant Johann Coachman Indian Servant of Count Trast

The action takes place in the vicinity of Charlottenburg, now a part of Berlin.

HONOR

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ACT I.

Scene:--A room in Heinecke's house--The cheap, lower middle-class decorations and tawdry furnishings are in sharp contrast with two silk-upholstered arm-chairs, which are covered during the first part of the act--and a large gilded mirror. A chest of drawers and several shelves are covered with various worn articles of household use. To the right of the spectator, below the traditional German sofa, is a table with a coffee service. To the left is a long, rough-hewn work-table; upon it are pieces of cardboard, a pile of cardboard boxes and a large paste-pot. Beside the table is a workstool.

(Frau Heinecke is busily engaged in cleaning the room. Frau Hebenstreit stands on the threshold of the door to the left.)

Frau Hebenstreit. So it's really true?--Your son is home?

Frau Heinecke. Sh! sh!--for the Lord's sake--he's asleep!

Frau Hebenstreit. There is Alma's bedroom?

Frau Heinecke. Yes!--I don't know what I'm about!--I'm actually dizzy from joy! (Drops into the work-stool)

Frau Hebenstreit. Do the folks on the avenue know about it yet?[1]

Frau Heinecke. He had to report to 'em to-day because they're his boss. To-morrow he'll make the visit.

Frau Hebenstreit. How long has he been gone, anyway?

Frau Heinecke. Seven--eight--nine and a half years. It's as long as that since I've seen my boy! (She sobs)

Frau Hebenstreit. And did you recognize him right off?

Frau Heinecke. Well, how should I? Last night about eight--Heinecke was half asleep over the Lokal Anzeiger.[2] and I'm sitting there sewing a lace hem on Alma's underwaist,--that girl's always got to have something new for her underwear!--Well, all of a sudden there was a knock, and a man come in, and Lord save us if there didn't stand a gentleman, a fine gentleman in a beaver coat--there it hangs!--just feel that beaverskin once!--I thought to myself: it's one of Alma's swell acquaintances, one of young Herr Kurt's friends----

Frau Hebenstreit. (Listening attentively) Ah----

Frau Heinecke. For they ain't too stuck up to come around and see us poor folks on the alley--Well, as I was saying, he throws his hat and coat on the floor--a real top hat--right down on the floor, mind you!--and he gets right down on his knees in front of me--well, I thought I was losing my mind, but when he calls out; "Mother, Father, don't you know me?--It's me, Robert, your son Robert"--Well, Frau Hebenstreit, it was just too good to be true! I'll never get over it! (She cries)

Frau Hebenstreit. Don't get excited, neighbor; the pleasure won't last! Every rat has a head and tail--and a rat's tail is poison, they do say.

Frau Heinecke. How can you say a thing like that! My son is a good son, a fine son.

Frau Hebenstreit. Too fine, Frau Heinecke! When a person's been traveling around in all them foreign lands and living in silks and satins----

Frau Heinecke. He can have all that here--(Indicating the silk upholstered chairs)

Frau Hebenstreit. (With a grimace) Yes, yes,--but whether he will or not----

Frau Heinecke. Whether he will or not, Frau Hebenstreit! A mother's heart don't reckon with rank and society!--And--Good Lord! Here I am a-standing--Where on earth can Heinecke be? Have you seen Heinecke?--The way he has to hobble along with his lame leg!

Frau Hebenstreit. I saw him standing outside with a sign as big as all outdoors, drying his sign he said--and the thermometer at thirty above zero!

Frau Heinecke. Let the old man enjoy himself. He was working on that sign half the night. Couldn't sleep a wink--neither of us--we was so happy----

(Heinecke enters, limping, with a huge placard. One of his arms is stiff.)

Heinecke. Hurrah! Now we've----

Frau Heinecke. Will you be still!

Heinecke. (Reading the placard) "Welcome, beloved son, to your father's house." Fine, eh?

Frau Hebenstreit. Looks for all the world like a target!

Heinecke. With a heart in the middle! You old--!

Frau Heinecke. Hold your tongue!--(To Frau Hebenstreit) You know how he is!

(Heinecke takes a hammer and tacks and climbs on chair to tack up the placard.)

Frau Hebenstreit. I wonder where your son got all his fine manners anyway? Not from his family, did he?

Frau Heinecke. No, nor mine either. It was seventeen years ago, when our boss on the avenue got his title of Councillor of Commerce--there was a great time: carriages and fireworkings and free beer for all the workmen in the factory. Well, my husband was a little bit full--and why not?--Pa, quit pounding! when it didn't cost nothing? Well, one of the carriages run over him,--broke his leg and his arm!

Heinecke. (Standing on the stool) Talking about me? Yes, that wasn't no joke, neither! (Whistles)

Frau Heinecke. Don't whistle! The folks in front can hear that from the balcony, and they'll send round to find out what's the matter with our family affairs!--And the boss was so tickled over his new title, that he was feelin' free with his pocket-book and he promised to take care of us and give our oldest an education.

Frau Hebenstreit. And did he stick to it?