Das landhaus am Rhein. English

by Berthold Auerbach

  CHAPTER XIV.

  A NEW PILLORY AT THE CHURCH DOOR.

  The swallows were flocking together and twittering over Villa Eden,over the jail not far from the house of the Justice, over the militaryclub-house in the capital, and wherever they flocked, everybody wastalking of Sonnenkamp, of what had happened and of what would happen tohim.

  In the basement, in the large room near the kitchen, Sonnenkamp'sdomestics were sitting at table. Bertram's chair was vacant. Somebodywas saying that the porter would have to scrape the writing off thewall, and that he had already given the master notice that he shouldleave. The "chief," who spoke German quite fluently when he was inanger, was cursing the rascality of domestics in leaving their master,who had no farther to concern themselves than to get their regular pay.The Cooper contested this, Of course, the honor of the master was thehonor of the servant, but they ought still to remain with Sonnenkamp;if there was a good deal in him that was bad, there was also much thatwas good. Joseph, whose personal opinion did not have its just weight,on account of his confidential relations with Sonnenkamp, was glad thatthe Cooper had hit the right point.

  The second coachman, the Englishman, who also wanted to give notice ofleaving, now said that he should not do it; but of course he mustalways be ready for a boxing-match.

  The Squirrel expressed his fear that some one would set fire to theplace, for the whole neighborhood was possessed by the devil. Lootz wasnot there, and nobody knew where the master had sent him. Old Urselmourned over the innocent children, at the same time eating away with afearful appetite, and uttering loudest lamentations with her mouthfull.

  The stuttering gardener made the proposal that they should remain, butshould make a joint demand for higher wages. All agreed to do this,except Joseph and the Cooper, but were puzzled how it could be broughtabout.

  The subterraneans were unanimous in their eulogies of Pranken. He was anobleman whose like could not be found, who did not desert the masterfor a single moment. He had ridden out with him in the broad daylight,and did not concern himself as to what his noble relatives might say ofhim.

  Here, underground, they were also glad to know that men were ungratefuland base. It was even known here that Sonnenkamp had made a present ofthe Villa to the Cabinetsrath, for what the latter had given for it wasonly a trifling sum; and now the gardener of the Cabinetsrath hadreported that the country-house and the vineyard had just been sold tothe American Consul, as a sort of gibe at Sonnenkamp; for the family ofthe Cabinetsrath wished to have no more intercourse with Villa Eden.

  In just the same way, although by men of a different position insociety, were Sonnenkamp's circumstances discussed in the militaryclub-house of the capital, as well as in the beer-houses. For sometime, Adams, the negro servant of the Prince, had everywhere been thetopic of conversation. There were various wonderful stories how fivemen were hardly able to restrain the raving negro; that he had tried tochoke Sonnenkamp,--only with the greatest difficulty had they succeededin getting him out of the capital, and removing him to a hunting-seat.Then the conversation would turn upon Sonnenkamp. Everybody asked whathe would do now; no one could understand how it was that Pranken stoodby him, and how the family permitted such a thing. In the militaryclub-house there was also an Ursel, but here she took the form of apensioned lady of high rank, who also ate heartily, and, while eating,spoke very compassionately of the poor children of the millionaire.

  But the conversation took a very peculiar turn in the house of Dr.Richard, where they were to-day giving a great coffee-party in honor ofFrau Weidmann, who had come on a visit; it had been arranged severaldays before, and the Professorin, Aunt Claudine, Frau Ceres, and Mannahad been invited; of course they did not come. Here and there they wereearnestly discussing how they should treat the Sonnenkamp family, ifthey had the audacity not to leave the country as soon as possible.

  Lina, who had returned from the trip with her betrothed, said that shewould be the same in Sonnenkamp's family that she had always been, andthat she would remain Manna's friend; for wherever the Professorin was,there any one might maintain social intercourse without detriment toone's honor.

  The tone of the conversation became kindly as Frau Weidmann gaveunreserved support to Lina; she spoke of the noble character of Roland,who had been on a visit to her house, and of the solid worth of Eric,whom her husband held in very high esteem.

  Thus every one in the house, as well as in the neighborhood, seemed tobe putting himself right, and adopting a moderate, kindly tone towardsthe Sonnenkamp family. But the bitter, detestable consequences of theoccurrence manifested themselves in the green cottage on Sundaymorning.

  During the hour before mass, the indigent neighbors used to come fortheir regular weekly allowance; to-day there came only one solitarywoman, in a sorry plight. She was a drunkard's wife, who was forevercomplaining and lamenting; she was constantly fretting about twochildren, one of which she held in her arms, and the other she led byher side.

  It was only with some difficulty that the Professorin had broughtherself to furnish assistance to this woman, because she was afraidthat the drunkard would only be made more shiftless by so doing; shehad yielded to the persuasion of Fraeulein Milch, though she generallycut the talkative woman short. But she had to listen patiently to-day,now that the woman came alone and no others were there. The Professorintrembled when the woman said to her:--

  "Yes, yes, such is the world! It's a topsy-turvy world. My husbandmakes wife and children unhappy because he squanders everything, andHerr Sonnenkamp makes wife and children unhappy because he has goteverything. Yes, just so! It's a world turned upside down."

  She assured the Professorin that she would take none of the gold of theslave-trader, if she could help herself in any other way.

  And out of this gold my son is to enrich himself, said the Professorin,to herself, sitting there alone soon afterwards, as the bells wereringing. She sat quiet for a long time. Then Eric came in and said:

  "Ah mother, another dreadful thing has happened!"

  "Something new? Still another dreadful thing? What has happened?"

  "He was bold and defiant; he went to church with Pranken."

  "Who did?"

  "Herr Sonnenkamp. And when he came out of the church, there stood allthe people in a row, looking at him. He went up to a poor man andhanded him a gold piece; the poor man took the money, and then threw itaway, exclaiming: 'I will have nothing from you!' And they all criedout: 'We want nothing more from you! Take yourself out of the country.'Sonnenkamp went away, the piece of gold is still lying there before thechurch door, and no one will pick it up. O mother, the people are greatand horrible at the same time."

  "Did you see it too? Where did you hear about it? Were you too at thechurch?"

  "No; Manna and Roland told me, and now they are sitting in the gardentogether, and weeping. I have hastened to you, for you only can helpus. Comfort them, strengthen them."

  "I have done all I can," said the Mother; "I am too weak, and I amafraid I shall be ill."

  Eric called his aunt to remain with his mother, and returned to Rolandand Manna.

  The Doctor was sent for that very afternoon. The Professorin was sick.