phone a single word to Kuenigel. I've
arranged everything with him. We'll call it in--you agree to that?

GILBERT. What are you going to call in, may I ask? Her novel?

CLEMENT. Oh, you know about it? It would seem, Herr Gilbert, that the
comradeship you speak of has been brought pretty well up to date.

GILBERT. Yes ... There is really nothing for me to do but to ask your
pardon. I am really in a very embarrassing position ...

CLEMENT. I regret very much, Herr Gilbert, that you have been forced to
be a spectator of a scene which I may almost describe as domestic ...

GILBERT. Ah ... well, I do not wish to intrude any further--I will wish
you good day. May I, as a tangible token that all misunderstanding
between us has been cleared up, as a feeble evidence of my good wishes,
present you, Baron, with a copy of my latest novel?

CLEMENT. You are very kind, Herr Gilbert. I must own, to be sure, that
German novels are not my pet weakness. Well, this is probably the last
I shall read--or the next to the last ...

MARGARET, GILBERT. The next to the last ...?

CLEMENT. Yes.

MARGARET. And the last to be ...?

CLEMENT. Yours, my dear. (Takes a book from his pocket.) You see, I
begged Kuenigel for a single copy, in order to present it to you--or
rather to both of us. (MARGARET and GILBERT exchange distracted
glances.)

MARGARET. How good you are! (Takes the book from him.) Yes ... that's
it!

CLEMENT. We'll read it together.

MARGARET. No, Clement ... no ... I can't let you be so good! There ...!
(Throws the book into the fire.) I don't want to hear any more of all
that.

GILBERT (delighted). Oh, but ...!

CLEMENT (goes toward the chimney). Margaret ...! What are you doing?

MARGARET (stands in front of fire, throws her arms round CLEMENT).
_Now_ will you believe that I love you?

GILBERT (much relieved). I think I am rather in the way ... Good-by
... good day, Baron ... (Aside.) To think that I should have to miss a
climax like that ...! [Exit.]

FRANK WEDEKIND

* * * * * *

THE COURT SINGER

A Play in One Act

DRAMATIS PERSONAE

GERARDO, Imperial and Royal Court Singer

MRS. HELEN MAROWA

PROFESSOR DUeHRING

MISS ISABEL COEURNE

MULLER, hotel proprietor

A valet

An elevator boy

A piano teacher

[Illustration: FRANK WEDEKIND]

THE COURT SINGER (1900)

TRANSLATED BY ALBERT WILHELM BOESCHE, PH.D.
Assistant Professor of German, Cornell University

SCENERY