Page:Poet Lore, volume 34, 1923.djvu/528

 Burris.—I have no doubt. I never pretended to be more than a humble manager of a country estate. And on the other hand I want to impress upon you that I should never have dared to aspire to the hand of a lady from the manor had she not given me to understand

Lena (Interested). —What?

Burris.—That my attentions would be more than welcome.

Erna.—You could not forbear to throw this into my face, could you? You owed it to me, didn’t you? I deeply regret now that I ever showed a sign of interest in you. If I only could have foreseen! If I could only have known how I should loathe when you opened my eyes. I repeat, I deeply regret! And before you, Lena, I testify that I am horribly ashamed of the whole sordid transaction! (Her voice breaks and she covers her face with her hands.)

Burris (Falling at her feet).—Erna, forgive, forgive! I realize what brutal things I have said, but it was my state of mind. I was for the moment off my guard. Your own emotion took me off my feet. I humbly plead, not for myself, but for our happiness, our future life together, which I never represented to myself as you have. There are cases of old soldiers with bullets in their bodies living useful lives—living to a hale and hearty four score years and ten

Erna (After a moment’s struggle with herself).—Listen, Karl Burris, (She gives him her hand ) you are going to have an operation.

Burris—What? Erna, would you really wish that I let them open my chest again and tempt Fate?

Erna.—That would indeed be an act of heroism far more glorious than that of Dubow. On such a token of your love for me I could look with pride.

Burris.—My love for you might make me capable of anything. But for the sake of the little one—I cannot! I cannot bear the thought that there is the risk  he might easily be born without a father.

Erna.—Such volubility! It seems you are really glad you are a cripple.

Burris (Striding the floor with gathering emotion).—Yes, you are right! I am glad! I am sincerely happy that Fate opposed my physical condition against this vain wish of yours. Our poor child may profit by it.

Erna.— Excuses are cheap!