have also
gradually taken their places. The order at the visible central portion
of the table is as follows, from left to right: Outside, KUNZE,
LASKOWSKI, MRS. VON TIEDEMANN, DIRECTOR MERTENS, MRS. SCHNAASE;
opposite these inside, MRS. BOROWSKI, PAUL, ANTOINETTE, MR. VON
TIEDEMANN, DR. BODENSTEIN. During the whole of the following scene they
are eating and drinking. LENE and FRITZ, in livery, move to and fro,
serving. AUNT CLARA comes in and goes out as the occasion demands. She
has her seat with those who are hidden and whose voices are only heard
at times. At first the conversation remains subdued.)

KUNZE (rises). Ladies and gentlemen! Before sitting down at the board,
to regale ourselves with food and drink, does it not involve upon us to
devote a few words to the memory of the beloved deceased, whose mortal
remains we have today conducted to the last resting place. And how can
we do that more fittingly, ladies and gentlemen, than by recalling the
words recorded in holy writ. Ladies and gentlemen, what are the words
of the psalmist? The days of our years are three-score years and ten;
and if, by reason of strength, they be four-score years, yet is their
strength labor and sorrow; for it is soon cut off and we fly away!
Ladies and gentlemen! He who no longer dwells in our midst in the body,
but whose spirit is looking down upon all of us, the beloved deceased,
may he rest in peace.

[Silence. Short pause as they continue to eat.]

LASKOWSKI (the first to finish his soup, leans back). A soup like that
does warm a fellow up.

VON TIEDEMANN. Especially when you have been out in your sleigh for
nearly two hours.

LASKOWSKI. And then a full hour at the cemetery on top of it.

MRS. VON TIEDEMANN (quickly). But the sermon was really touching. From
the very heart. Any one who had known the dead man ...

LASKOWSKI. Not a soul kept from crying!

VON TIEDEMANN. Yes, remarkably beautiful!

LASKOWSKI. A fellow forgot all about being hungry.

MRS. BOROWSKI (leans over to PAUL). Are they talking about the sermon?

PAUL (aloud). Yes, Mrs. Borowski.

MRS. BOROWSKI. I didn't understand very much.

PAUL (courteously). At your age, Mrs. Borowski!

MERTENS (in an undertone to MRS. VON TIEDEMANN). Who is she?

MRS. VON TIEDEMANN. It's the widow of the former teacher at the estate
here.

MERTENS. She seems to hail from the days of the French occupation!

VON TIEDEMANN. _Does_ she? She has at least eighty years