Pandora's Box Part 15

DR. HILTI. Just so, yes! But I want it now. I got engaged this evening to a country-woman of mine. She's a governess here.

LULU. Is she pretty?

DR. HILTI. Yaw, she's got a hundred thousand.--I am very eager, as it seems to me....

LULU. (_Tossing back her hair._) I *am* in luck! (_Takes the lamp._) Well, if you please, Mr. Tutor? (_They go into her room. Geschwitz draws a small black revolver from her pocket and sets it to her forehead._)

GESCHWITZ.--Come, come,--beloved! (_Dr. Hilti tears open the door again.--_)

DR. HILTI. (_Plunging in._) Insane seraphs! Some one's lying in there!

LULU. (_Lamp in hand, holds him by the sleeve._) Stay with me!

DR. HILTI. A dead man! A corpse!

LULU. Stay with me! Stay with me!

DR. HILTI. (_Tearing away._) A corpse is lying in there! Horrors!

Hail! Heaven!

LULU. Stay with me!

DR. HILTI. Where d's it go out? (_Sees Geschwitz._) And there is the devil!

LULU. Please, stop, stay!

DR. HILTI. Devil, devilled devilry!--Oh, thou eternal--(_Exit._)

LULU. (_Rushing after him._) Stop! Stop!

GESCHWITZ. (_Alone, lets the revolver sink._) Better, hang! If she sees me lie in my blood to-day she'll not weep a tear for me! I have always been to her but the docile tool that could be used for the heaviest labor. From the first day she has abhorred me from the depths of her soul.--Shall I not rather jump from the bridge? Which could be colder, the water or her heart? I would dream till I was drowned.--Better, hang!-- --Stab?--Hm, there would be no use in that-- --How often have I dreamt that she kissed me! But a minute more; an owl knocks there at the window, and I wake up.-- --Better, hang! Not water; water is too clean for me. (_Starting up._) There!--There! There it is!--Quick now, before she comes! (_Takes the plaid-straps from the wall, climbs on the chair, fastens them to a hook in the door-post, puts her head thru them, kicks the chair away, and falls to the ground._) Accursed life!--Accursed life!--Could it be before me still??--Let me speak just once to thy heart, my angel!

But thou art cold!--I am not to go yet! Perhaps I am even to have been happy once.--Listen to him, Lulu! I am not to go yet! (_She drags herself before Lulu's picture, sinks to her knees and folds her hands._) My adored angel! My love! My star!--Have mercy upon me, pity me, pity me, pity me!

(_Lulu opens the door, and Jack enters--a thick-set man of elastic movements, with a pale face, inflamed eyes, arched and heavy brows, a drooping mustache, thin imperial and shaggy whiskers, and fiery red hands with gnawed nails. His eyes are fixed on the ground. He wears a dark overcoat and a little round felt hat. Entering, he notices Geschwitz._)

JACK. Who is that?

LULU. That's my sister. She's crazy. I don't know how to get rid of her.

JACK. Your mouth looks beautiful.

LULU. It's my mother's.

JACK. Looks like it. How much do you want? I haven't got much money.

LULU. Won't you spend the night with me here?

JACK. No, haven't got the time. I must get home.

LULU. You can tell them at home to-morrow that you missed the last 'bus and spent the night with a friend.

JACK. How much do you want?

LULU. I'm not after lumps of gold, but, well, a little something.

JACK. (_Turning._) Good night! Good night!

LULU. (_Holds him back._) No, no! Stay, for God's sake!

JACK. (_Goes past Geschwitz and opens the cubicle._) Why should I stay here till morning? Sounds suspicious! When I'm asleep they'll turn my pockets out.

LULU. No, I won't do that! No one will! Don't go away again for that!

I beg you!

JACK. How much do you want?

LULU. Then give me the half of what I said!

JACK. No, that's too much. You don't seem to have been at this long?

LULU. To-day is the first time. (_She jerks back Geschwitz, on her knees still, half turned toward Jack, by the straps around her neck._) Lie down and be quiet!

JACK. Let her alone! She isn't your sister. She is in love with you.

(_Strokes Geschwitz's head like a dog's._) Poor beast!

LULU. Why do you stare at me so all at once?

JACK. I got your measure by the way you walked. I said to myself: That girl must have a well-built body.

LULU. How can you see things like that?

JACK. I even saw that you had a pretty mouth. But I've only got a florin on me.

LULU. Well, what difference does that make! Just give that to me!

JACK. But you'll have to give me half back, so I can take the 'bus to-morrow morning.

LULU. I have nothing on me.

JACK. Just look, thoh. Hunt thru your pockets!--Well, what's that?

Let's see it!

LULU. (_Showing him._) That's all I have.

JACK. Give it to me!

LULU. I'll change it to-morrow, and then give you half.

JACK. No, give it all to me.

Chapter end