Gschwendtner
[Half laughing, half quite agitated]
I wouldn’t like anything more.
Gschwendtnerin
And our things’ll spoil in the meantime.
Gschwendtner
[Once again quiet and serious
You know well that one does what’s right . . . [He walks over to Hans, who is putting down his suitcase and taking off his hat. He takes his hand and shakes it heartily.] Did we ever think that we would have to say good-bye like this?
Hans
Well, this is how it goes, Father . . .
Gschwendtner
And . . . and because you are leaving I can tell you this already – that you have been a real good soul and I want to say thank you for helping out like that . . . now, during vacation . . .
Hans
[Fighting back his own tears]
Well . . . well, it really is my turn to say thank you and . . . and . . . I . . . ask you, Father and Mother, . . . to forgive me . . . that I . . . sometimes disappointed you . . . and . . .
Gschwendtnerin
[Crying into her apron]
My boy!
Gschwendtner
[Wipes the back of his hand over his eyes and is fighting to control his emotions.]
Come on mother. We can’t make it so hard for him to go . . . [To Hans, who is looking at the ground, and who is rubbing his forehead with his hand.] You are going to do your duty out there, Hans, and . . . and well, we just have to hope that we see each other again in good health . . .
Hans
[Lively once again]
Nothing is going to happen, Father! . . .
Gschwendtnerin
And not that you think that you have to be first everywhere.
Hans
[Smiles good-naturedly]
Now . . . now . . . Mother!
Gschwendtnerin
Yes . . . you, it’s true. You think that you can do everything by yourself and you’re so sure of yourself that you always have to be in the front.
Gschwendtner
He’s certainly not going to be the last one all of a sudden. [He goes to the wall cupboard.]
Gschwendtnerin
Don’t you talk him into it! That’s just like you . . . [To Hans] And what’s going to happen if . . . if . . . [She pulls her apron up to her eyes and cries.]
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