The Major

(Ceremoniously.) Madam, I have done your father the honour of myself taking command of the firing-party. All I wanted was that your husband should prove his respect for discipline to the end! I give him back to you; you have nothing to blame him for. Everything went off very well, in a most correct and satisfactory manner. Your father died like a hero.... And now, Lieutenant Hilmer, go and embrace your wife....

Isabelle

(Suddenly drawing herself to her full height.) Go away!... Go away, both of you!...

Otto

What, I too, Isabelle?... But you don’t understand....

Isabelle

I understand everything, I understand too much, it’s you who will never understand anything!...

Otto

(Coming towards her.) But, Isabelle!...

Isabelle

(Shrinking back.) Don’t touch me!... Go away!... Don’t touch me!... Go! It’s over ... for good!...

Floris

(Stamping his foot.) She’s right! She’s right! She’s right!... Kiss me, kiss me! Let me kiss you!... It’s we two now, you and I!...

The Major

(To Otto.) Let them be; I want you. I hear they’re attacking on the Oostwinkel side.... You’ve done your duty, Hilmer. This is incomprehensible. But they’re all more or less mad in this country....

CURTAIN

Transcriber’s Note

Punctuation has been normalized.

Repeated titles in the front of the book have been deleted.