Landlord, Minna, FranziskaLAND. (putting his head in at the door).
Am I permitted, your ladyship?
FRAN.
Our landlord?--Come in!
LAND. (A pen behind his ear, a sheet of paper and an inkstand in his hand).
I am come, your ladyship, to wish you a most humble good-morning;(to Franziska)
and the same to you, my pretty maid.
FRAN.
A polite man!
MIN.
We are obliged to you.
FRAN.
And wish you also a good-morning.
LAND.
May I venture to ask how your ladyship has passed the first night under my poor roof?
FRAN.
The roof is not so bad, sir; but the beds might have been better.
LAND.
What do I hear! Not slept well! Perhaps the over-fatigue of the journey--MIN.
Perhaps.
LAND.
Certainly, certainly, for otherwise. . . . Yet, should there be anything not perfectly comfortable, my lady, I hope you will not fail to command me.
FRAN.
Very well, Mr. Landlord, very well! We are not bashful; and least of all should one be bashful at an inn. We shall not fail to say what we may wish.
LAND.
I next come to . . .
(taking the pen from behind his ear).
FRAN.
Well?
LAND.
Without doubt, my lady, you are already acquainted with the wise regulations of our police.
MIN.
Not in the least, sir.
LAND.
We landlords are instructed not to take in any stranger, of whatever rank or sex he may be, for four-and-twenty hours, without delivering, in writing, his name, place of abode, occupation, object of his journey, probable stay, and so on, to the proper authorities.
MIN.
Very well.
LAND.
Will your ladyship then be so good . . .
(going to the table, and making ready to write).
MIN.
Willingly. My name is
LAND.
One minute!
(He writes.)
"Date, 22nd August, A. D., &C.; arrived at the King of Spain hotel."Now your name, my lady.
MIN.
Fraulein von Barnhelm.
LAND. (writes).
"Von Barnhelm." Coming from. . . . where, your ladyship?
MIN.
From my estate in Saxony.
LAND. (writes).
"Estate in Saxony." Saxony! Indeed, indeed! In Saxony, your ladyship?
Saxony?
FRAN.
Well, why not? I hope it is no sin in this country to come from Saxony!
LAND.
A sin? Heaven forbid! That would be quite a new sin! From Saxony then?
Yes, yes, from Saxony, a delightful country, Saxony! But if I am right, your ladyship, Saxony is not small, and has several--how shall I call them? districts, provinces. Our police are very particular, your ladyship.
MIN.
I understand. From my estate in Thuringia, then.
LAND.
From Thuringia! Yes, that is better, your ladyship; that is more exact.
(Writes and reads.)
"Fraulein von Barnhelm, coming from her estate in Thuringia, together with her lady in waiting and two men servants."FRAN.
Lady in waiting! That means me, I suppose!
LAND.
Yes, my pretty maid.
FRAN.
Well, Mr. Landlord, instead of "lady in waiting," write "maid in waiting." You say, the police are very exact; it might cause a misunderstanding, which might give me trouble some day when my banns are read out. For I really am still unmarried, and my name is Franziska, with the family name of Willig: Franziska Willig. I also come from Thuringia. My father was a miller, on one of my lady's estates. It is called Little Rammsdorf. My brother has the mill now. Iwas taken very early to the manor, and educated with my lady. We are of the same age--one-and-twenty next Candlemas. I learnt everything my lady learnt. I should like the police to have a full account of me.
LAND.
Quite right, my pretty maid; I will bear that in mind, in case of future inquiries. But now, your ladyship, your business here?
MIN.
My business here?
LAND.
Have you any business with His Majesty the King?
MIN.
Oh! no.
LAND.
Or at our courts of justice?
MIN.
No.
LAND.
Or
MIN.
No, no. I have come here solely on account of my own private affairs.
LAND.
Quite right, your ladyship; but what are those private affairs?
MIN.
They are . . . Franziska, I think we are undergoing an examination.
FRAN.
Mr. Landlord, the police surely do not ask to know a young lady's secrets!
LAND.
Certainly, my pretty maid; the police wish to know everything, and especially secrets.
FRAN.
What is to be done, my lady? . . . Well, listen, Mr. Landlord--but take care that it does not go beyond ourselves and the police.
MIN.
What is the simpleton going to tell him?
FRAN.
We come to carry off an officer from the king.
LAND.
How? What? My dear girl!
FRAN.
Or to let ourselves be carried off by the officer. It is all one.
MIN.
Franziska, are you mad? The saucy girl is laughing at you.
LAND.
I hope not! With your humble servant indeed she may jest as much as she pleases; but with the police--MIN.
I tell you what; I do not understand how to act in this matter.
