Page:Poet Lore, volume 35, 1924.pdf/526

 from Sakhalin, but by all the devils, you see that I am here and alive!

John.—But I was obliged to accept the report, and so was everybody else hereabouts. Even the city council.

Hans.—But still you knew where to write to me afterwards, to me—dead.

John.—That was the only way I knew to get a confirmation of the report. I was thoroughly convinced only after I had written and had received no answer.

Dean.—Well, why then did you not answer?

Hans (After reflection).—I was busy flying from Sakhalin at the time.

John.—So there. And you are leaping at my throat like a Bengal tiger, after all I had tried to do for you.

Ann.—That is only the truth, Mr. Karvan; when the sad news came my husband was utterly dejected.

John.—Out of consideration for the fact that I have been acting here in the pharmacy as your special representative, for that I am to get out of here tomorrow, a beggar. And for taking care of your father, of my dear uncle, to the hour of his death! And in all these years I have not brought any disgrace on the family as you had once done. I can point to ten years of respectable family life here in Potsedin, for which I have enjoyed the trust of my fellow citizens. This reverend gentleman knows it.

Dean.—The trust of our fellow citizens is firmly rooted in this house and in this dispensary.

John.—For all of which I am insulted before the members of my family, and before my employe. Tomorrow, the whole village will be wagging with it.

Dean.—Be silent! The most important thing now is what to do next. My dear Hans, you are not saying a word. I know that it is only right you should have your heritage, but what would the municipality say? An American dentist proposing to establish himself here as a practicing physician. What are you thinking about all this, Jan? Am I not worth a word from you?

Hans (Who has been sitting with head in his palms, now rises and takes a small vial out of his pocket. He holds it out towards .) What is this? Do you recognize it?

John.—I can't see it, but as a practicing pharmacist I suppose I should recognize any bottle any where, even in the dark. A pharmacist should recognize a bottle as easily as a twenty dollar bill. What is it?