class="normal">Heinecke. (Working) Ah, there!

Frau Heinecke. Couldn't 've done better! They gave us a place here on the alley, where, thank God, we still are, and they sent Robert off to the school where he got his learning. And when he came back home on his vacations, he was always invited over on the avenue to drink chocolate with whip-cream,--on purpose to play with the little Miss. Young Herr Kurt was still sucking a rubber nipple then.

Frau Hebenstreit. That was all before Alma--?

Frau Heinecke. (More quietly) What do you mean by that?

Frau Hebenstreit. Aw, nothing, I----

Frau Heinecke. And then afterwards they sent him to Hamburg to learn about the foreign business, you know--and when he was seventeen off he goes to India, where they say it's so outlandish hot! The Councillor's nephew is out there. He's got a big coffee and tea plantation!

Heinecke. It grows out there just like daisies do around here! (Gets down from the stool) Fine, eh?

Frau Heinecke. And he got along pretty well out there, and, Lord, here he is home again and I stand around and----

Frau Hebenstreit. I'm a-going. Good-bye, and don't forget the poison in the rat's tail! (Aside) It's a pretty kettle of fish! (She goes out)

Heinecke. She's an old poison-toad herself!

Frau Heinecke. Jealousy--jealousy--jealousy!

Heinecke. Well! Where did you get the pound-cake!

Frau Heinecke. The cook brought it, with the compliments of the Miss.

Heinecke. (Turning away) What comes from the avenue don't interest me! The boy must have had enough sleep by this time. The factory whistle will blow for the second lunch[3] in a minute! (Looking lovingly at the placard) "Welcome, beloved son----"

Frau Heinecke. (Suddenly) Father, he's here!

Heinecke. Who?

Frau Heinecke. Our boy!

Heinecke. (Pointing to placard) We're ready for him!

Frau Heinecke. Shh! I heard something! (Listening) Yes, I told you! He's putting on his shoes. When I think of it! There he is a-sitting putting on his shoes, and in a minute he'll come through this door----

Heinecke. All I'll say is: "Welcome, beloved"--did you put some of that swell soap of Alma's on his washstand?

Frau Heinecke. And how many times have I set here and thought to myself: has he even got a decent bed under him?--and--and--have the savages eaten him up already? And now all of a sudden here he is, Father--Father we've got him again! May the luck keep up!

Heinecke. Look here a minute--does this look all right?

Frau Heinecke. Quiet!--He's coming. Your tie's slipped up again! I'm ashamed of you! (Smoothes the cover of the arm-chair) Lord, how nervous I am!

(Robert bursts into the room and runs to his parents, who stand stiffly before him, embarrassed.)

Robert. Good morning. Father!--Good morning, Mother I (He embraces his mother and repeatedly kisses her hand) I am--absolutely--inhumanly--happy!

Heinecke. "Welcome, beloved son"--(As Robert bows over his hand he rubs it on his trousers) You're going to kiss my hand?!!

Robert. Certainly, if you'll let me!

Heinecke. (Extending his hand) Now you can see what a good son he is!

Robert. (Looking about) And here is where I once--I hardly know--is it really possible?--Or am I actually dreaming still? That would be too bad--Oh,--and the homesickness!--Lord in heaven, that homesickness!--Just think! You sit out there at night in some corner, and everything you have left appears about you, living;--mother, father,--the court, the garden, the factory--and then all of a sudden you see the long palm branches waving over you, or a parrot screams in the distance and you come to yourself and realise that you are all alone at the other end of the world! Brrr!

Heinecke. Parrots? That must be nice! Here only the rich folks can have 'em!

Robert. Yes, and if you only knew how I worried these last years, and even on the journey home, for fear I shouldn't find everything the way my longing had painted it!

Heinecke. Why?

Robert. There was a man--otherwise a dear friend, my best friend, too--who tried to prepare me for disappointment. You have become foreign, he said, and you shouldn't try to put together what Fate has separated so long ago--Heaven knows what else he said--and I was almost afraid of him, and you, and myself too! Thank God that doesn't bother me any more; every single thing has come out as I hoped! Everything I had imagined for ten years is exactly as I expected--there is Father--there's Mother, sweet and simple and (Tenderly) a bit of a chatterbox! (Stretching himself) But what are these two young arms for? Just watch! They've learned to make money!---And the sisters will soon be ready too! Just see!--And here is father's old paste-pot--(Strokes the paste-pot) And my confirmation certificate--framed! And the machinery makes the same, dear old noise!

Frau Heinecke. You never slept a wink on account of that old machine--eh? It bumps and bangs the whole night!

Robert. I was never sung to sleep by a sweeter lullaby, Mother. When I was almost asleep I kept saying: snort if you want, puff if you like, you old horse! Keep at it, but work as you will while I am lying here in bed, you can't do anything for the glory of the house of Muhlingk. Here is a lever that must be reckoned with! Wasn't that a proud thought?--And then my heart warmed for our benefactor.

Heinecke. Huh!

Robert. What, Father?

Heinecke. Aw, nuthin'!

Robert. And I have sworn that I won't slacken in his service until I've drawn my last breath!

Heinecke. I should think by this time you'd have done about enough for them!

Frau Heinecke. You've scraped and slaved for them for ten years!

Robert. Oh, it wasn't as bad as that, Mother. But now let's not talk about them this way any more. Every day we have one reason or other for thanking the Muhlingks. The letters I had from the Councillor, and from Kurt especially,--he's a partner now,--were like letters from a close friend.