Page:Thea von Harbou Metropolis eng 1927.pdf/136

 METROPOLIS Joh. You have sinned towards your frjend. For He! loved Rotwang and it was you who compelled' her," "When she was dying, mother, she loved me... :'

"Yes. When she saw that you, too, were a man. when your head was beating against the Hoor and you were crying out. But do you believe, Joh, that this one smile in her dying hour outweighs all that which brought about her death?" "Leave me my belief. Mother...." "Delusion... :' John Fredersen looked at his mother. "I should very much like to know," he said with darkened voice, "on what you feed your cruelty towards, me, mother:' "On my fears for you, Joh-on my fearsl" "You need have no fears for me, mother... :' "Oh yes, Joh-oh yes! Your sin walks behind you like a good dog on the trail. It does not lose your scent, Johit remains always and always at your back. A friend is unarmed against his friend. He has no shield before his breast, nor annour before his heart. A friend who believes in his friend is a defenceless man. A defenceless man was it whom you betrayed, Joh." "I have paid for my sin, mother. . . . Hel is dead. Now I have only Freder left. That is her legacy. I will not give up Hers legacy. I have come to you to beg of you, mother: help me to win Freder back." The old lady's eyes were fixed on him, sparkingly. "What did you answer me, Joh, when I wanted to stop you on your way to Hel?" "I don't remember," "But I do, Jobl I still remember every syllable. You said: -I don't hear a word you say-I only hear "Hel"l If 1 were to be blinded-I should still see Hell If I were to be paralysedwith paralysed feet, I should still find my way to Hell-' Freder is your son. What do you think, Joh, he would answer me were 1 to say to him: give up the girl you love.. .. ?" Joh Fredersen was silent. ''Take care, Joh," said the old mother. "I know what it means when your eyes grow cold, as_now, and when you grow as pale as one of the stones of the wall. You have

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