Class , i\V)?/^ Book ,? GopyrightE"__C:iil COPYRIGHT DEPOSm PAWNS OF WAR TB? T^oitaottl) CrotSet THE LAST STRAW PAWNS OF WAR A PLAY BY BOSWORTH CROCKER iw-xx^^ WITH A FOREWORD BY JOHN GALSWORTHY non-referTI SlMVAD-QHS BOSTON LITTLE, BROWN, AND COMPANY 1918 352.6 Copyright, 1918, By Little, Brown, and Company. All rights reserved Published January, '1918 For rights of production address the author in care of Little, Brown, and Company m 10 1918 TYPOGRAPHY BY THZ PLIITPTON PRESS, NORWOOD, IL^SS., U.S.A. PRINTED BY S. J. PARKHILL & CO., BOSTON, UAS3., U.S.A. ©CI.D 48687 FOREWORD THE invasion of neutralised Belgium, according to plan, by the "leader of civilisation," in the face of an aghast world, was surely the masterpiece of cynicism — perhaps the most cynical act and the greatest piece of folly the world has ever seen. Strong language, if the tale of the world's cynicism and folly since the beginning of time be passed in review. Coun- tries little and great have been invaded without cause time and again, treaties torn up, and all manner of bad faith kept. But this is the twentieth century; international arbitration is more than a mere notion; world communications, wireless telegraphy, flying, and other summits of civilisation have been reached. And this act was done, this folly committed, by the State which through a million tongues and pens claimed for itself leadership of the civilised world, and the crown of human intelligence. Persons possessed by a single idea, even if it be only that of their own importance, are perpetually driven by it to the doing and saying of what lacks perspec- tive and the virtue of proportion. Just proportion is the hallmark of true civilisation, as it is the essen- tial quality of true art. The invasion of neutral- ized Belgium was an act that could only have been committed by a nation blinded to all sense of propor- tion by the single idea of its own importance. That VI FOREWORD any European people, at this time of day, should thus conceive the notion of being more important than their neighbours would make one smile if it had not made the whole world weep. In our epoch one expects a little more cosmic philosophy than that from a great nation. But countless military and professional minds and millions of their followers had reached a conclusion unbelievably provincial, and proceeded to push that conclusion to ends in- credibly dreadful. The entrance of America into the war is causing Germany to search her heart at last for the reason why she has no friends, and for the way to remedy that state of things. The way is transparently clear: Let her democratise herself, and cease to teach pa- triotism in her schools. Patriotism should be a free, a spontaneous growth, or it becomes mischievous provincialism. State-taught patriotism has led to Z.'Jthat masterpiece of cynicism, or of blindness — call it which you will — that even now staggers the world. But the folly of the strategy which conceived that masterpiece is only just beginning to be generally real- ised. The war would have been won by Germany, and all her aims achieved at least two years ago, if only she had not invaded Belgium — had stood strictly on the de- fensive against France, and at once attacked the old, autocratic Russia with all her might. A short war, hegemony in the Balkans, and a clear road for her schemes in Asia Minor — all that was wanted for the moment, all that she had expected to gain without having to fight at all, for she never really believed that Russia would fight — such would have been FOREWORD vii the outcome of that "frischer, frohhcher Krieg." No comphcations with England, Italy, Japan, America. No loss of her colonies, nor forfeiting of the world's friendship, no great interruption to her commerce, no ruin or starvation for her people. When Prussian militarism is killed at last, the word "Belgium" will be found graven on its heart. "Pawns of War" is a play woven round this mon- strous piece of cynicism and folly. It has a sustained crescendo . . . very gripping and should play extremely well. I congratulate the author on having written a play that is so well worth while, so lifelike and so forceful. John Galsworthy PAWNS OF WAR CHARACTERS Dr. Albert Esterlinck, surgeon and burgomaster of Aerschel Angela, his wife Marianne, their daughter Bernard, their son RiTTA, their serving-maid Father Antoine, a priest Jean Groux Pierre Navez Ackermann, an old man Jules Wirtz, a crippled Belgian veteran HiESSLiNG, a drunkard General Ludwig von Wahlhayn of the German army Falkenhorst, General von Wahlhayn's Chief of Staff Barnstorff ) members of General von Wahlhayn's RiCHTER ) Staff German Orderlies Belgian Citizens in the service of the burgomaster THE FIRST ACT The scene is laid in Belgium,, in the home of Doctor Albert EsterlincJc, surgeon and burgomaster of Aerschel. The time is toward the end of summer, 1914-. Two men are standing in a long, rather low-ceiled room, talking together in cautious undertones. A large ivindow to the left. Quaint window seat deep sunk in the thick wall. Door back leads to dining room. Door right leads to wide hall. At long intervals, people with fire- arms pass down this hall; those who carry revolvers lay them on a stout table, those with rifles hand them to the man behind the table, who stacks them in the corner of the hall. In this living room are a handsome cabinet, a long Flemish stove, a carved chest, curious brass and pewter dishes, and bits of valuable tapestry. ACKERMANN {givcs his rifle to attendant, looks into living room, salutes Navez and Groux and walks in) A bad day's work, this, for Aerschel! [_Navez paces up and down the room excitedly. GROUX The town's ruined. ACKERMANN Think of it — twenty of our best men shot down Uke dogs! GROUX They got some good work in before they were killed; more than one Boche they had picked off. 6 PAWNS OF WAR ACKERMANN ' We can thank our stars the whole town wasn't wiped out after that. NAVEZ We can thank the burgomaster. ACKERMANN Howd'ye Hke this job he's given you, taking our rifles away from us? I'd rather he'd ordered me shot. And why are we pihng our guns up here? GROUX They've made an end of the town hall — one whole side gutted out. NAVEZ It's a God's blessing they didn't make an end of the burgomaster. GROUX Time enough yet for that or any other devil's work. \_Hies sling slouches in unsteadily behind the little group and drops down on the windoio seat. ACKERMANN Good God Almighty! I can't make it out. We're minding our own business, and all of a sudden we're dragged into this and blown sky-high. I wouldn't mind dying if I could give them all a good dose of lead first. HIESSLING Why — didn' — we — let 'em go — through — peaceful . . . GROUX Shut up, you drunken fool. HIESSLING Yes — let 'em — go ! Let 'em — go — to hell ! PAWNS OF WAR [^Swaggers across the room into hall and starts to pick up a rifle. NAVEZ (peremptorily) Take it away from him. [^Attendant prevents Hiessling from taking the rifle. GROUX You'll get run through with a bayonet if you try any of those monkey-shines around here. HIESSLING Goin' — be — soger. GROUX Where's your gun, Hiessling? HIESSLING Sold — my — lil — gun — to — Peter. NAVEZ If Peter wants to keep on living, he'll turn that gun in. GROUX And damned quick, too! ACKERMANN (as a gray-haired man limps in) Here comes Wirtz; perhaps he'll have something to tell us. Well, Wirtz, you're bringing her in, I see. {Wirtz hands over his rifle. WIRTZ I'm bringing her in, I am; after forty years I'm giving up my gun. Well, our poor soldiers — God knows where they are now! And only God and the Boches know what's become of the boys General Bergheroff sent out yesterday. ACKERMANN (looks eagerly at Groux and Navez) They say the burgomaster's youngest son was one of them.'' 8 PAWNS OF WAR WIRTZ Yes, Baldwin Esterlinck led them all. The lads fought for the chance to lead. That was a sight to remember. " Who knows the country to the north best.''" sings out our general, and every mother's son of them yelled out, "I do!" But Baldwin Esterlinck, he pushed his way to the front of the boys, right under his father's very eyes, and called out: "I do. Don't I, Father.?" Doctor Ester- linck, he stood still a minute, but he had to answer. "You know it well, my son." You should have seen the look on him, just as though he'd like to grab the boy up and run away with him. Any- how, it seemed that way to me. "All right," said the general, "then you lead, my boy." He stopped short and stared at the ground for a minute, then he looked them straight in the eyes. "Boys! Take a good look; you may never see Aerschel again." They didn't turn a hair, just saluted and huzzaed . . . "Ride like the devil!" he called after them. And they made the dust fly. Not a lad older than sixteen, not a mother's son of them. And the burgomaster's son called out to his father, "Good-by, Father," as though it was a picnic he was going to. GROUX S-s-h! Here's Mrs. Esterlinck. She's not to know. MRS. ESTERLINCK {the hurgomasters wife is a matronly woman of forty-three. Good-natured face. Kind gray eyes. Brooding, ^perplexed expression) Pierre, do you know — [S^e stops short on seeing Ackermann and Wirtz. PAWNS OF WAR WIRTZ Well, what do you think, Mrs. Esterlinck, they've fired Granny Misch's house. For ten years she's worked like a dray horse, worked her poor old fingers to the bone to pay off that mortgage, and now only the ground is left for her little grandchild, and no deed to show for that! NAVEZ Nobody's going to pick up her land and run away with it, as though it was horses. GROUX Or cows. ACKERMANN Or food. NAVEZ Or clothes. MRS. ESTERLINCK Poor old Granny Misch! ACKERMANN Who had the mortgage? WIRTZ Old Tonniquet that owned the smelting works. They shot him this morning. MRS. ESTERLINCK Why do they burn down the houses and kill innocent people? WIRTZ (bitterly) Reprisal, they call it. MRS. ESTERLINCK It seems to me just plain murder. If only the boys and Marianne would come home. My poor Marianne, she's worried to death over Paul. 10 PAWNS OF WAR ACKERMANN {low tone to Wirtz) Paul? WIRTZ {same tone) Paul Donnet. ACKERMANN Oh, I know — tall, light fellow, captain of his com- pany. [Wirtz nods. MRS. ESTERLINCK Yes, only think of it! To-morrow was to be their wedding day. They put it off last June on account of Bernard. We were all afraid Bernard would never get well. NAVEZ That's one thing you've got to be thankful for. MRS. ESTERLINCK If he'd only get his strength back! Yes, Marianne and Paul were to be married to-morrow. We didn't think then that all this would happen and that Paul would be away fighting, we don't know where, on the day that was to be his wedding day. [Marianne Esterlinck comes in. She is a lithe, grace- ful girl with vivid gray eyes now black from excitement. Her chin is quivering, and she can hardly speak. MARIANNE Oh, Mother! MRS. ESTERLINCK (startled) Marianne! What's the matter? What's happened now? MARIANNE Father's a hostage. They've taken Father as a hos- tage. Father! Think of it, Mother — any one — a PAWNS OF WAR 11 drunken man — Hiessling here, can shoot a German soldier, and Father pays for it — with his life. MRS. ESTERLINCK That can't be possible. MARIANNE It's true. It's true. One of our own soldiers, Leon Neef, told me so. He's been hiding since day- break. He got separated from his company when our soldiers were driven out. There were German soldiers all around. The Donnets took him in and hid him in a closet behind boxes and clothes. I saw him dressed up as an old woman. Now he's got away. He's taking messages to our general. He promised me to speak to Paul, if he ever gets back to the boys — if he ever does. MRS. ESTERLINCK That soldier's crazy. Your father — why, he's burgomaster. MARIANNE And so he's held responsible; they make him re- sponsible for everything. Something's going to happen to him before it's all over, something's going to happen to Father. MRS. ESTERLINCK That isn't possible . . . The burgomaster! It isn't possible. MARIANNE Mother, don't you understand — just because he is burgomaster. MRS. ESTERLINCK Going without his meals — no sleep — not a minute to himself! n PAWNS OP WAR MARIANNE Somebody'll do some shooting, somebody's bound to. How can they help it? It wouldn't be human not to. MRS. ESTERLINCK But they'll have nothing to shoot with. They're bringing in all their arms : we're stacking them down cellar. MARIANNE All of them won't bring them . . . Don't you be- lieve it, Mother. MRS. ESTERLINCK Even Hiessling here. [^Pointing to him. HIESSLING Sol' — my — rifle — to — Peter. MARIANNE What did I tell you, Mother.? They're keeping them back. We might as well say good-by to Father. MRS. ESTERLINCK (firm in her simple faith) But your father's ordered the guns turned in. They've got to do what the burgomaster wants. MARIANNE What do men care for orders when they're driven about like wild beasts. They don't want to give up their rifles now; they want to use them. , . . But they mustn't, they mustn't! And Father helping to save those German soldiers! MRS. ESTERLINCK But he's a surgeon, and a surgeon has to do a sur- geon's work. PAWNS OF WAR 13 MARIANNE I'd let my right hand rot oflF before I'd raise it to help one of them. MRS. ESTERLINCK Oh, Marianne, you say that! MARIANNE Not if one of them was dying at my feet. MRS. ESTERLINCK You say that, Marianne; it's easy to talk, but when a man's dying, then you'd do anything for him. "WIRTZ Don't you think it, Mrs. Esterlinck. When I was a lad I had those fine ideas. But I've had a taste of war in my time. That was in 1870, for I was brought up in France. My leg here, it speaks for itself; but for it I'd be tasting blood along with the boys yet. But if ever there was hell on earth — death and hell ! And it was you or the other fellow. You lost what soul you ever had till you or him lay flat. Then you remembered, then you got human again. Talk about your fine feelings — the dead and the dying — you get so used to them you don't mind them no more than dead flies. MRS. ESTERLINCK Where's Baldwin? And Bernard? They ought to be at home. Anything might happen . . . NAVEZ {calls out from hall) Oh, no, Mrs. EsterUnck. GROUX Your boys are all right. MRS. ESTERLINCK I haven't laid my eyes on Baldwin since yesterday 14 PAWNS OF WAR morning. I didn't hear him last night. He went without his breakfast this morning. Bernard prom- ised to bring him home. Where's Bernard staying all this time, hours and hours? MARIANNE It can't be so long, Mother. It seems longer to you than it really is. {_Navez, Groux, Wiriz, and Ackermann are in the hall, grouped around the table, talking together in low, cautious tones. MRS. ESTERLINCK And Bernard isn't strong yet; he can't stand much. MARIANNE Mother, if anything had happened, you'd have heard of it by this time. MRS. ESTERLINCK It's easy enough to say that. MARIANNE The boys are all right. But Father! Now they'll shoot some Boche in the back, and then Father'll be shot. MRS. ESTERLINCK {breaking in) Who would want to shoot your father, Marianne? Isn't he a good man? And the burgomaster. He couldn't be spared for a minute. And who would look after the wounded? Isn't he surgeon here? MARIANNE Mother — can't you understand? Father is a hos- tage. If there's any more shooting, Father'll be shot. MRS. ESTERLINCK Do you mean to say they'd let them shoot Father? PAWNS OF WAR 15 MARIANNE Let them! HiESSLiNG {slowly raising himself from the window seat) If — th' harm — a — hair — of — his — hie ! — his head, hie! — we'll — kill 'em — kill 'em all. Hie! MRS. ESTERLINCK That's quite right, Hiessling. ACKERMANN {standing in the doorway) Short of eating a square meal, there's nothing I'd like better. MARIANNE No, no, you mustn't say such things. You mustn't, I tell you. You're to do as my father wants you to do. {To Wirtz who has come into the room, fol- lowed by Navez and Groux.) Make them do it, Navez, Mr. Wirtz, all of you, make them bring in every firearm in town. Make them understand — tell them — it's Father's life — my father's life. MRS. ESTERLINCK. That's only to seare them, Marianne; they wouldn't really shoot Father. MARIANNE You don't know what they'll do to Father. BERNARD {hwsts in) Mother — I've got to — help — somehow . . . MRS, ESTERLINCK Wait till you're stronger, Bernard. See — you're all of a tremble now. BERNARD I've got to help, I've got to. MRS. ESTERLINCK Where's Baldwin.^ Where've you been? 16 PAWNS OF WAR BERNARD I'd rather die than stand by and see such things. It isn't possible to do nothing ... If / could have gone — " [He catches Marianne's warning glance and breaks off abruptly. MRS. ESTERLINCK Gone? Gone where? Has Baldwin gone some- where? MARIANNE Bernard, why do you frighten Mother? MRS. ESTERLINCK Where's Baldwin? What's become of him? BERNARD {wUh assuvicd carelessness) Oh, Baldwin's all right. MRS. ESTERLINCK I must go out, myself, and look for my boy. BERNARD Don't worry, Mother, he's big enough to look out for himself. NAVEZ Baldwin's all right. BERNARD Of course Baldwin's all right. MARIANNE Wouldn't Father know? MRS. ESTERLINCK It's easy to say that. [Navez and Groux go over to Hiessling, rouse him, and walk him out between them. MARIANNE Now don't worry any more about Baldwin. Don't PAWNS OF WAR 17 you think about Father? Don't you think about him at all? MRS. ESTERLINCK A burgomaster can take care of himself. But he ought to look after his children, too . . . riding around with that German general, caring for his men, and his own people waiting here! MARIANNE How can he help it? You said so yourself a minute ago: "A surgeon has to do a surgeon's work." Plaven't I told you over and over that Father's — BERNARD {breaks in) What's the matter with Father? What are you talking about? MARIANNE But — Bernard — surely you — BERNARD Marianne! MARIANNE , Mother knows — I've told her. MRS. ESTERLINCK Knows what, Marianne? MARIANNE That Father's a hostage. MRS. ESTERLINCK He'll manage all right, he always does. MARIANNE Yes, he'll manage all right, he'll be shot. It isn't what Father does. Mother, it's what the people here in town do. Oh! I can't believe that all this has happened. {Goes to the window and looks out) 18 PAWNS OF WAR Only yesterday the green grass and the tall trees and the fields of yellow corn . . . and now . . . MRS. ESTERLINCK Just the same, he ought to be at home — a boy of fourteen. MARIANNE If anything had happened to Baldwin, we'd have heard of it. MRS. ESTERLINCK {to the men in the hall who are trying to persuade Hiessling to go with them) Come — all of you. Let the poor fellow come along, too. He isn't doing any harm. A bowl of soup'U do him good, perhaps. \_Mrs. Esterlinck leads the way into the dining room. Marianne and Bernard are left alone. BERNARD God knows what's happened to Baldwin by this time. MARIANNE What do you mean? What have you heard .f* BERNARD Listen, Marianne, Mother's not to know this — what- ever comes. MARIANNE Well.? Go on. BERNARD Father doesn't want her to know. MARIANNE You know I won't tell Mother. BERNARD Remember now. MARIANNE Go on, tell me. PAWNS OF WAR 19 BERNARD Well then — Baldwin was one of the boys sent out by General Bergheroff. MARIANNE Yes, yes, I know — BERNARD You know? MARIANNE Yes, yes, go on. BERNARD Baldwin led all the boys. MARIANNE Our Baldwin ! Think of it ! BERNARD Yes, tell me to think of it! Father was there when they started — the edge of the town just beyond old Wirtz's place. MARIANNE How proud Father must have been. BERNARD They all begged the general to let them lead. But Baldwin, he was the one chosen. {To himself, quivering with repressed passion) I should have been there. I should have been the one. MARIANNE And that's all you've got to tell me, Bernard? BERNARD All? Isn't that enough? You think that nothing — to risk his life! MARIANNE Do I, Bernard? Let me tell you something — I knew all about Baldwin from the first, from the 20 PAWNS OF WAR time he heard that General Bergheroff wanted scouts. He told me that he meant to go. He kept it from you purposely. He didn't want Mother to find out. He knew how she'd take it. I tried every way to persuade him not to go. For her sake. I begged and I pleaded. But I could see that he meant to go, BERNARD It was my place to go, it was my place! MARIANNE Yes, Bernard, if you'd been strong enough, but — BERNARD You kept it from me. You took my chance away from me. MARIANNE Baldwin went for your sake — in your place. BERNARD Yes, in my place. I'm strong enough to ride a horse. I'm strong enough to carry a rifle. MARIANNE How could you go, Bernard, ill as you've been? BERNARD Why did you keep it from me? Our soldiers driven out of town ! . . . our rifles taken away from us ! MARIANNE Isn't this enough — all this horror? Not one of the boys back . . . BERNARD Not one. MARIANNE You don't think he's been killed — you don't think that? Oh, Bernard! PAWNS OF WAR 21 BERNARD The road they took led straight into the enemy, straight into the Uhlans — MARIANNE (witk quiet despair) The Uhlans have them then. BERNARD Yes — if they're alive. MARIANNE The Uhlans have them — living or dead. BERNARD Living or dead. MARIANNE It will kill Mother. BERNARD She mustn't find out. MARIANNE Not at once — not right away. But she's got to know — sometime. BERNARD Yes, yes, when we've heard something. MARIANNE Oh ! what shall we do ! BERNARD If he's safe — MARIANNE Yes — if — BERNARD Then — then it's time enough for her to know. MARIANNE But — if he isn't safe.? BERNARD (fearfully) If he missed the Uhlans — there were the shells. 22 PAWNS OF WAR MARIANNE Mother's got to know. BERNARD Not yet! Not yet! MARIANNE I told her he'd been home. I pulled the bed- clothes all apart to make her think he'd been home, sleeping. She thinks he went out after Father had gone. BERNARD She keeps asking for him. MARIANNE All the time. BERNARD How are we going to let her know the truth? MARIANNE Oh, I don't know ... I don't know. BERNARD Father thinks he can keep it from her. MARIANNE How long.? She's got to know sometime. BERNARD I can't ever tell her. MARIANNE No, no, you mustn't. Dear Jesus, isn't this horrible? {Enter Father Antaine. He carries a basket) BERNARD Here's Father Antoine. MARIANNE Father, we are in great trouble. BERNARD Yes, Father. PAWNS OF WAR 23 FATHER ANTOINE This is indeed great trouble that has come upon us all. MARIANNE Father Antoine, we want you to help us. FATHER ANTOINE My child, if I can help you in any way. MARIANNE Father — it's about my brother. FATHER ANTOINE {tuTus to Bernard) Your brother.? BERNARD Not me, Father. Baldwin, FATHER ANTOINE The little brother. BERNARD Yes, Father, Baldwin. MARIANNE Oh, Father, we don't know what's happened to him. BERNARD Not one of the boys the General sent out has been seen or heard from — not one ! MARIANNE And Mother doesn't know that Baldwin was one of them. She doesn't know it. BERNARD Should she be told, Father.? MARIANNE Shouldn't she, Father, now — before — anything worse — happens? FATHER ANTOINE I think the mother should be told. 24 PAWNS OF Y^AR BERNARD But if Father doesn't want — MARIANNE (interrupts) Yes, now — before it's too late. FATHER ANTOINE She doesn't know that your brother's in danger? BERNARD She suspects. But she doesn't know. MARIANNE Not even that he wasn't at home last night. I scattered the bedclothes all around to make her think he'd slept in the bed. FATHER ANTOINE You mustn't deceive her. MARIANNE Yes, but I'm afraid she can't stand it, Father. FATHER ANTOINE Every hour that you put it off only makes it the harder. MARIANNE ' Then, Father Antoine, you must tell her. BERNARD But — if we break the news to her — all at once — suddenly — MARIANNE Father Antoine will know how to tell her, Bernard. BERNARD Of course, Marianne. MARIANNE Think, Father Antoine, he led all the other boys. PAWNS OF WAR 25 FATHER ANTOINE Whatever happens, you'll have that to remember and be proud of. MARIANNE Mother's whole heart's set on Baldwin. FATHER ANTOINE The youngest, of course — I understand. MARIANNE She'll never live through it, if anything happens to him. FATHER ANTOINE She must summon the courage to endure it. MARIANNE And don't you think, Father, if something hadn't happened, we would have heard from the boys by now.? FATHER ANTOINE We mustn't despair. MARIANNE Father Antoine, if you tell her, it won't be so bad then; you can help her to bear it. BERNARD Yes, Father. FATHER ANTOINE Call her, my child. I'll ask her first about the food and bandages. BERNARD (opens the door and calls) Mother! Mother! £Mrs. Esterlinck comes in. She doesn't see Father Antoine at once. MRS. ESTERLINCK Is it Baldwin? Has Baldwin — 26 PAWNS OF WAR MARIANNE Father Antoine, Mother. MRS. ESTERLINCK Oh, Father, I'm sick at heart! That I should live to see this day! FATHER ANTOINE We must help all we can and find our consolation in good work. MRS. ESTERLINCK Marianne, get Ritta to fill Father Antoine's basket. MARIANNE Yes, Mother. [^Marianne goes out with basket. MRS. ESTERLINCK And Bernard — bring what bandages are left . . . Such want and misery! [^Bernard leaves the room. FATHER ANTOINE We should thank God for the power of helping others — as your husband is helping — with our own lives, if need be. MRS. ESTERLINCK Yes, but a man must take care of his children. Father. And if my husband's all worn out, how's he to help others.'' FATHER ANTOINE He's a strong man. Daughter, and a wise man. MRS. ESTERLINCK He should look after his children . . . How do I know what's happening to Baldwin. FATHER ANTOINE Your children are all good children, brave children. PAWNS OF WAR 27 MRS. ESTERLINCK Brave — that's just it, Father; there's no holding them back — not one of them. FATHER ANTOINE You should be glad of that, Daughter: now is the time for courage. \Jdarianne returns with Ritta who carries Father Antoine's basket. RITTA Good day, your Reverence. FATHER ANTOIXE Good day, Ritta. You have filled my basket quickly. MARIANNE I am sorry there is nothing more to spare to-day. MRS. ESTERLINCK But to-morrow morning. Father, you shall have it filled again. {^Bernard returns with bandages. Mrs. Esterlinck puts them in the basket. FATHER ANTOINE I shall be here with my basket. (Looks into the basket) You have given most generously. And now, before I go, give me one thing more. MRS. ESTERLINCK Gladly, Father, anything I have to give. FATHER ANTOINE What I want you to give me now is your promise that you will be brave — as you should be — if this trouble at our doors touches you more closely. MRS. ESTERLINCK You mean my husband — they've made him . . . what is it, Bernard.'' 28 PAWNS OF WAR MARIANNE A hostage, Mother. FATHER ANTOINE No, Daughter, I don't mean your husband. For him there is nothing but gratitude. He has saved the town. MRS. ESTERLTNCK It isn't my Baldwin you mean? (Sinks back like one stunned) It's Baldwin. Baldwin's dead. FATHER ANTOINE No, but if that were our blessed Lord's will you should thank Him that your boy went to a glorious death. MRS. ESTERLINCK I can't spare him, he mustn't die. \_Marianne comes hack. FATHER ANTOINE Do not think of his death — MARIANNE He isnH dead. Mother. BERNARD No, no! FATHER ANTOINE Do not think of his death or his danger. Think only of his courage, leading a band of boys all older than he — for our general — your boy of fourteen. Doesn't it give you great joy.'* MRS. ESTERLINCK I am afraid. Father, I am afraid. FATHER ANTOINE Pray for courage, Daughter; think of your son's courage. PAWNS OF WAR 29 MRS. ESTERLINCK O God, O God ! — if he is only alive and comes home to me ! FATHER ANTOINE Be brave, be brave, and submit yourself to the will of God. MRS. ESTERLINCK (dully) Yes, Father. FATHER ANTOINE [^Father Antoine gets up and takes his basket. (Walks toward hall, Mrs. Esterlinck walks by his side) Be brave, Daughter, and God bless you. God bless you, children. Qil/rs. Esterlinck goes into hall with him. BERNARD (to Marianne, sinks his voice) We shouldn't have told him . . . {As she comes back into the room) See how pale she looks. MRS. ESTERLINCK Some one must go after him; he's only a child. MARIANNE Don't, don't give up so. Mother. Baldwin'll come riding home soon, safe and sound . . . And think, Mother, how proud you'll be of him then, MRS. ESTERLINCK It's well enough for you to talk . . . But I know . . . Why do they send out boys.'' Are there no grown men left in the town? BERNARD Baldwin always wanted to be a soldier; now he's got a soldier's Job. If / had got the chance — 30 PAWNS OF WAR MARIANNE (at the window, excitedly, with rejoicing in her tone) Look! Mother! Bernard! BERNARD What . . . ? MRS. ESTERLINCK (starts up) Baldwin , . . ? BERNARD No, no. Mother. (Mrs. Esterlinch sinks bach in her chair) It's Father. \jGoes to her and tries to comfort her. MARIANNE Father! Safe home! Safe home! BERNARD Mother, you mustn't give up hke this; you mustn't let these strange soldiers see you this way. MARIANNE There are five of them. Two of them are staying in the machine. Now they're coming. (She runs to her 7nother) Be brave, IMother, as Father Antoine said. Think of poor, poor Father. DR. ESTERLINCK (sumvioning Navez and Groux to him as he enters the living room) Pierre! Jean! Get ready for dictation. Half a minute now. ]\Marianne runs up to him. He embraces her. Then he embraces his toife, ivho gazes past him toward the hall door. MRS. ESTERLINCK Who are these strange men? DR. ESTERLINCK General von Wahlliayn and his Staff . . , PAWNS OF WAR 31 MRS. ESTERLINCK The German general. . . ? DR. ESTERLINCK (a caution in his tone) They're going to make the house headquarters, Angela. BERNARD (under his breath) Headquarters — here ! MRS. ESTERLINCK Our house! MARIANNE {cautiously) These strange soldiers ! Oh, Father ! BERNARD (bitterly, under his breath) We take them into our own house — do we? MRS. ESTERLINCK And my Baldwin lying out in the woods dead, per- haps . . . And who knows . . . perhaps one of these very soldiers — MARIANNE Mother! BERNARD Father, do we have to have these men here, here in the house with us.'' DR. ESTERLINCK S-s-h! my son! Walls have ears. [General von Wahlhayn and Falkenhorst, his Chief of Staff enter. Falkenhorst looks at Marianne ad- miringly, then turns back to talk with Richter and Barnstorff'. DR. ESTERLINCK While my family looks after your comfort, General von Wahlhayn, I will dictate the proclamation for my people. 32 PAWNS OF WAR GENERAL VON WAHLHAYN Warn them well. Make them understand there's to be no more trifling. DR. ESTERLINCK My wife, your Excellency. {General von Wahl- Jiayn bows formally) \^Mrs. Esierlinck acknoivledges his silent salutation with a timid bow My son and daughter. [^All bow silently. GENERAL VON WAHLHAYN Make the proclamation clear. Put it plainly: If any member of any household is found firing at my soldiers, all the members of that household shall be put to death. [Dr. Esterlinch and General von Wahlhayn step back into the hall. MRS. ESTERLINCK (in a tone of dazed despair) All! All! MARIANNE (in a tense undertone) The innocent with the guilty . . . (as her father comes in, same tone) That man — what he said — just now — it's horrible — DR. ESTERLINCK (witJi a look and gesture he silences her. To his icife) Angela, get what you can for them to eat. BERNARD Feed them, too . . . DR. ESTERLINCK (to Bernard) You show them up-stairs. MRS. ESTERLINCK Let Ritta — PAWNS OF WAR 33 DR. ESTERLINCK No. MARIANNE (suddenly) Not Baldwin's room! MRS. ESTERLINCK No, no, not Baldwin's room! {^Marianne leads her mother into the dining room. Barnard conducts General von Wahlhayn and his Staff upstairs. DR. ESTERLINCK (scats himself at a table in the front of living room, calls out to his men) Pierre ! Jean ! {J^avez and Groux come in, and he motions to them to sit down. DR. ESTERLINCK (begins to dictate the proclamation) Every attack on German troops by others than the military in uniform not only exposes those who may be guilty to be shot, but will also bring further terrible consequences on leading citizens now held as hostages by the commander of the German troops, and on the burgomaster who — is — himself — a — hostage . . . (Pauses in his dictation as Wirtz followed by Bernard enters from hall, catches the expression on Wirtz's face) BERNARD (intensively) What's the — what have you heard, Wirtz? Dr. Esterlinck [^Taking up the dictation, repeats: Himself — a — hostage . . . (Goes on quickly:) Cer- tain inhabitants of Aerschel having made various attacks upon the German troops, the Commander 34 PAWNS OF WAR General has already caused houses to be burned down and twenty leading citizens to be shot. Therefore: All inhabitants are hereby warned — WIRTZ {breaking in on the dictation) We've got word, Dr. Esterlinck. [^Dr. Esterlinck remains silent. BERNARD {cries out) Father! You hear! WIRTZ About your boy — he wouldn't surrender — so — BERNARD He's dead, Baldwin's dead! WIRTZ They shot him — he wouldn't give up. \^Dr. Esterlinck's face works convulsively, he grips the table; gradually he regains an appearance of com- posure. DR. ESTERLINCK Pierre . . . Jean ... let us ... go on .. . with the dic- tation . , . {^Bernard steals up to the stack of revolvers on the table in the hall, and, unseen, slips a revolver into his pocket. CURTAIN THE SECOND ACT Scene is the same as in Act I. MARIANNE (alone tvith her father in the living room. Voices of General von Wahlhayn and the members of his Staff are heard from the dining room. Some one sings snatches of German songs) ; Father, how can you stand it to hear those men laughing and singing in there? DR. ESTERLINCK We stand what we have to stand. MARIANNE {passionately) I wish every mouthful would choke them — choke them — They've killed my brother — killed Bald- win. DR. ESTERLINCK S-s-h, Marianne! You've got to stop this. It won't do — my child. MARIANNE (keeping back the tears) Father — I must talk to some one. I can't stand it any longer — all alone . . . DR. ESTERLINCK My poor child! MARIANNE Baldwin's been killed . . . and now — Paul — he'll be the next one. And not a soul to talk to . . . DR. ESTERLINCK Women know best what to say to young girls. 36 PAWNS OF WAR MARIANNE I can't talk to Mother now. DR. ESTERLINCK She's had a blow she'll never get over. MARIANNE Father — it seems selfish, of me, I know, to think of myself — at such a time — But I'm frightened to death about Paul. DR. ESTERLINCK Time enough, child, when troubles come. Don't go to meet them halfway. MARIANNE Father, I can't help it. DR. ESTERLINCK Try to comfort your mother a little now. MARIANNE Don't think I'm forgetting — Baldwin — or Mother . . . But this worry about Paul — all to myself — it seems as though it would kill me . . . DR. ESTERLINCK Think of your mother — how's she's loved you all — and worked and worried — all these years -*- MARIANNE I do think of her. I think of her — and of Baldwin — all the time. But it doesn't help, Father, it only makes it worse. And the worry about Paul keeps right on. Couldn't you get some word — DR. ESTERLINCK If anything had happened, we'd have had word. MARIANNE You won't keep it from me — you'll tell me — won't you, Father? PAWNS OF WAR 37 DK. ESTERLINCK Yes, Marianne. MARIANNE Whatever happens? DR. ESTERLINCK Yes. There, don't cross your bridges till you get to them. MARIANNE Anything — anything — but this suspense. DR. ESTERLINCK Where's your mother? MARIANNE Up-stairs. She went to change her dress. DR. ESTERLINCK Where's Bernard ! ? MARIANNE He went up-stairs too. DR. ESTERLINCK (deeply troubled) I don't like the way she's taking it. She mustn't be left alone too much. MARIANNE She hasn't slept since we first heard of the danger — before the Germans got here. She was afraid — afraid for Bernard — and for Baldwin. DR. ESTERLINCK God knows what's going to happen next. MARIANNE No sleep . . . She can't go on this way. DR. ESTERLINCK After a while — I'll give her something . . . Where's Bernard? 38 PAWNS OF WAR MARIANNE Upstairs with Mother. (Looking at him anxiously) You asked me that once before. DR. ESTERLINCK Yes, — I've got Bernard on my mind to-night. MARIANNE Why, Father? Why are you worrying about Ber- nard? He's safe. He's getting along all right. DR. ESTERLINCK Bernard's got wrong notions in his head. MARIANNE Wrong notions? What do you mean, Father? DR. ESTERLINCK He's a boy with a man's courage and a girl's strength. And he's drunk with hate now — hate and rage — drunk with it, weak as he is. MARIANNE Father, you can't blame him — you can't. When I think of Baldwin — and look at these strange soldiers — I want to drive them away — somehow — out of our tow n — out of our sight — off of our land — ours ! DR. ESTERLINCK (cautions her) Marianne, Marianne! MARIANNE (in a choked voice) Father, I've never held a weapon in my hand, but when I look at these men — I — could — kill ... I want to kill them. I, myself . . . DR. ESTERLINCK You've got to control yourselves — you and Ber- nard. Your one thought must be the safety of PAWNS OF WAR 39 Aerschel — the safety of our people. For that I'm responsible — I must answer. MARIANNE Nothing's going to happen to you, Father: nothing shall happen. DR. ESTERLINCK Law and order — that's the thing ! MARIANNE {sinking her voice) And we have to stand it.^* There's no way? Our soldiers can't drive them out.f* DR. ESTERLINCK No . . . We've got to do the best we can. MARIANNE Our poor country ! DR. ESTERLINCK Law and order! That's the way to love our country now — now that we're helpless. We mustn't throw our people's lives away. Besides — you can't spare me yet awhile — not till Paul comes back — can you? MARIANNE (goes wp to him and puts her arm around his neck) As if I could ever spare you! DR. ESTERLINCK And your mother couldn't spare me — even then. MARIANNE Oh, Father, you know the German general wouldn't harm you. See how he treats you. How about the man that shot one of his soldiers in the back? Noth- ing happened to you. Weren't you a hostage then? DR. ESTERLINCK Child, General von Wahlhayn has a heart. He shut his eyes to that. That happened once. It 40 PAWNS OF WAR won't happen again. Another time, and I pay. Reprisal — that's orders. And orders are orders. MARIANNE Father, don't talk about it. I can't bear to think about it. DR. ESTERLINCK Did your mother eat any supper? MARIANNE No, she hasn't taken a mouthful since breakfast. DR. ESTERLINCK Your brother's death has stunned her. MARIANNE You're going to look for Baldwin. You're going to try to find him? DR. ESTERLINCK If it's possible — to-morrow — at daybreak. MARIANNE If Mother could only see him — perhaps then . . . DR. ESTERLINCK That would be the hardest thing of all for her to bear. MARIANNE No, for then she'd realize that he is dead. \_Mariannes voice chokes. She breaks down. Dr. Esterlinck sits with bowed head. MARIANNE {swollowing a sob) She's kept calling him softly — to herself — all day long — just as though she didn't know. DR. ESTERLINCK She must have some sleep to-night. I'll give her something. MARIANNE Who's that laughing so loud? PAWNS OP WAR 41 DR. ESTERLINCK That man — Falkenhorst — the General's Chief of Staff. MARIANNE {sliudders as the laughter grows louder) Oh ! how can they ! DR. ESTERLINCK He must be drinking. MARIANNE Hasn't the general eyes.' Can't he see? \_There is a fresh outburst of laughter. MARIANNE Why doesn't the general stop them? DR. ESTERLINCK He isn't noticing. He's thinking about something else. MARIANNE Perhaps he's drinking, too. DR. ESTERLINCK No, he's not that kind. MARIANNE He ought to watch his men. Perhaps they'll all get drunk. DR. ESTERLINCK No. The Chief of Staff had been drinking before dinner. MARIANNE He'll frighten Ritta — the way he's acting. DR. ESTERLINCK Oh, the man's not drunk. But keep Bernard out of his way while I'm gone. MARIANNE Oh, Father — you're not going to leave us. 42 PAWNS OF WAR DR. ESTERLINCK The general wants to look at — a — position — MARIANNE This German general! DR. ESTERLINCK Yes. MARIANNE And you have to go! DR. ESTERLINCK There's nothing to fear. We'll not be long. I'm worn out. I've got to sleep to-night. MARIANNE And to-morrow you'll look for — Baldwin. DR. ESTERLINCK To-morrow — at dawn. The general must give me a passport. MARIANNE But — if you're a — hostage, Father. DR. ESTERLINCK It's got to be done. I'll speak to General von Wahlhayn — to-night. MARIANNE Here's Mother coming — and Bernard. \^The burgomaster steps fonvard to meet his wife and takes her in his arms. She seems strangely impas- sive. He looks at her closely. BERNARD {anxiously) Father — if Mother could manage to get a little rest . . . DR. ESTERLINCK {sinking his voice) I'll see to that — now — before I leave . . . PAWNS OF WAR 43 MRS. ESTERLINCK Are you going for Baldwin? He ought not to lie out there in the woods alone. BERNARD (to Ms father) I can't stand this. I can't — I tell you. I'll get away — somehow . . . DR. ESTERLINCK You're anxious to be shot, my boy. Wait a little. Give your mother a little time to get over your brother's death, first. BERNARD (despairingly) Look at her! DR. ESTERLINCK (to his wife) You've put on your black silk gown. MRS. ESTERLINCK Baldwin always liked to see me in this. \_The door of the dining room is opened by Richter. Falkenhorst and Barnstorff are seen to rise and stand at attention. They salute General von Wahlhayn as he passes into the living room. GENERAL VON WAHLHAYN I regret that you and your family could not give us the honor of your company. DR. ESTERLINCK Under the circumstances your Excellency will ex- cuse us . . . my son's death . . . Naturally, my wife . . . GENERAL VON WAHLHAYN I understand . . . Make no apology. GENERAL VON WAHLHAYN (addresses Mrs. Esterlinck) I make you my compliments on your hospitality. (He turns to the burgomaster) But you will do me 44 PAWNS OF WAR the favor to lock up your wine. {He calls his men) Richter! Barnstorff! [r/je men enter, salute and stand at attention. GENERAL VON WAHLHAYN The proclamations ! \_They salute again and pass into the hall. GENERAL VON WAHLHAYN Now, Dr. Esterlinck — be so good ... in a few minutes . . . We will wait . . . \^He goes out. A copy of the proclamation has fallen to the floor. Bernard (has picked it up and is reading it to himself as he comes into the living room. Suddenly, with repressed passion he reads aloud: All inhabitants are hereby warned that if any civilian member of any household makes fur- ther assault upon the troops of occupation quartered upon such household, all members of that household shall be put to death . . , MARIANNE {fearfully) All will be put to death . , . The innocent with the guilty . . . How can he do such things! DR. ESTERLINCK He is a general, and this is war, MARIANNE That Chief of Staff — isn't he going, too? DR. ESTERLINCK The man isn't fit to go. The general must see that. MARIANNE So he's to stay here — alone . . . DR. ESTERLINCK There are orderlies all around. Oh, the man's not really drunk. Let him alone. PAWNS OF WAR 45 BERNARD Don't be afraid, Marianne. I can look out for him. [^The burgomaster and his daughter exchange glances. DR. ESTERLiNCK (tums to his wife) My poor Angela! Go up and rest. Try to get a little sleep. [^Mrs. Esterlinck does not seem to have heard the bur- gomaster. MARIANNE Mother! l^Mrs. Esterlinck pays no attention. MARIANNE (sharply) Mother! MRS. ESTERLINCK (a little querulously) What is it? MARIANNE Father's speaking to you. DR. ESTERLINCK Don't you think you ought to go up and lie down? MRS. ESTERLINCK No, no, Albert. DR. ESTERLINCK And you don't eat . . . MARIANNE Let me get you a cup of tea. Mother. [^Forgetting, she starts to enter the dining room. DR. ESTERLINCK Don't go in there. You go — Bernard — through the hall. (He hands Bernard a tablet) Tell Ritta not to go into the dining room now — till he leaves. (Sinks his voice. To Marianne) See that she gets it all. (To his wife) Drink your tea and lie down, Angela. 46 PAWNS OF WAR MARIANNE (stopping him in the doorway) Father . . . Must you go ... ? DR. ESTERLINCK There's no help for it . . . Whatever the general com- mands — I must do. [^The burgomaster goes out. MARIANNE (goes over to her mother and takes her hand) Mother! l^Mrs. Esterlinck sits passively and lets her hand rest in Marianne's. After a minute the door to the dining room is opened wide, and Falkenhorst, the Chief of Staff, appears in the doorway. He is hold- ing a glass of wine in his hand. He lifts the glass and looks at it. FALKENHORST Meine Damen und Herren — prosit! [^Falkenhorst laughs, lifts the glass to his lips, and drains it: then he lets it fall. Mrs. Esterlinck gazes at him with a strange, calm gaze. Marianne utters a little cry; Falkenhorst goes up to her. She stands quite still. Suddenly he lifts her hand to his lips. She withdraws her hand slowly, a storm of hatred gathering in her eyes. FALKENHORST Such black looks do not go well with so pretty a face, Frmdein. \_She tries to pass by him. He blocks her way. MARIANNE Oh ! ... If you please . . . FALKENHORST Why are you not calm? I mean you no harm. PAWNS OF WAR 47 MARIANNE I am not afraid .... [_Falkenhorst laughs. MRS. ESTERLiNCK {as thougJi awokening suddenly to a sense of the situation) Marianne ! \_Falkenhorst looks from Mrs. Esterlinck to the wine glass on the floor, stares at it a little while, and then goes hack into the dining room. Marianne, using the door as a screen, slowly pushes it to. Bernard returns by way of the hall. He carries a cup of tea. MARIANNE {to Bernard, who starts to speak) S-s-h ! He's been in here — that man . . . BERNARD (clcnches his fists) If I could — MRS. ESTERLINCK Be still, Bernard. We must give up to them. Baldwin was the jBrst. You'll be the next. Then Father. What will happen to Marianne? I am an old woman. It doesn't matter about me. MARIANNE Old? You're not old. BERNARD What are you talking about, Mother? You're a young woman. Old at forty -three! MRS. ESTERLINCK What happens to me doesn't matter. But you and Marianne . . . BERNARD If we were men ! 48 PAWNS OF WAR MARIANNE What can we do — so few of us — and a great army of them . . . BERNARD Here, Mother — you must drink your tea. \^Mrs. Esterlinck pays no attention. MARIANNE Mother . . . what are you thinking about? BERNARD (holding the cup to his mother's lips) Here, Mother. MRS. ESTERLINCK ' I want my boy back, Baldwin, my little boy. BERNARD I'd be glad to change places with him for your sake, Mother. MARIANNE Baldwin's been spared all this. You can be glad of that, Mother. BERNARD Take the rest of the tea, now. There's only a mouthful left. [^Mrs. Esterlinck drinks it. Bernard puts the cup and saucer on the table beside which Marianne has just sat down. MARIANNE {who Jias buricd her face in her hands, gives a start of nervous terror at the clatter of the cup in the saucer) Ugh! BERNARD Why — what — MARIANNE Bernard . . . the way that man looked at me! PAWNS OF WAR 49 BERNARD Marianne, you must go up-stairs — you and Mother. MARIANNE And leave you here with a drunken man — all alone? No, Bernard, I'll take Mother up, but I'm coming down again to stay with you. BERNARD You mustn't come down again, you mustn't. \JFrom the direction of the dining room comes the pro- longed sound of the clicking of a knife against a glass. Bernard and Marianne listen anxiously. MARIANNE (wi a half-whispcr) He wants something more to drink. BERNARD He'll not get it. RITTA (hurries in) He's calling me — that man. He wants more wine. He's emptied the bottle. (Ritta has been speaking to Mrs. Esterlinck, who pays no attention to her: now she turns to Marianne) Miss Marianne, — I can't go in there — to him. MARIANNE No, Ritta, you needn't go. Pay no attention to him. RITTA He'll be coming into the kitchen next. MARIANNE Bolt the door, Ritta. RITTA Eating us out of house and home . . . There'll be nothing left for Father Antoine. \_The clicking begins again. Hear that! 50 PAWNS OF WAR BERNARD Let him keep it up till he gets tired, MARIANNE Oh, I do hope Father'll be back soon. BERNARD Bolt the kitchen door, Ritta. MARIANNE Can't you stay out of the kitchen, Ritta? RITTA The dishes are piled that high, Miss. \^She indicates. MARIANNE Never mind, Ritta . . . You go up-stairs with Mother . . . Stay with her a while. Now, Mother, Ritta'U take care of you. \_Bernard helps his mother up. MRS. ESTERLINCK I don't need Ritta. I'd rather be alone. £Sound of rapping on the table. falkenhorst's voice Hey, there ! You there ! . . . MARIANNE He's getting ugly. BERNARD You go up, too, Marianne. MARIANNE (firmly) No. See that Mother lies down, Ritta. \l\Irs. Esterlinck and Ritta go out. BERNARD How long's that man going to stay in the dining room! PAWNS OF WAR 51 MARIANNE If he'd only go up to his room . . . He'd soon fall asleep with all the wine he's taken. [They sit down together in the shadow. Falkenhorst can he heard talking to himself in the dining room. Marianne and Bernard remain silent, listening. FALKENHORST {rapping on the table and raising his voice) Hey, there! . . . You there! . . . Another bottle! {A minute passes) Hey, there! . . . You, there! . . . HiTTA (who has come down-stairs again, steals to the door. Cautiously) Miss Marianne! . . . Are you there? MARIANNE (coming forward to Ritta. Softly) Yes, what's the matter, Ritta? RITTA She won't undress, and she won't lie down, and she wants me to go on with the work. She doesn't mind that man. BERNARD You go on up, Marianne. MARIANNE Let her alone. She'll fall asleep after a while. RITTA (stoutly) Then I'll go back to my work. MARIANNE If you're not afraid . . . RITTA Afraid! . . . He'll not break the door down, I guess. [_Ritta passes quietly down the hall. Falkenhorst is heard walking about in the dining room. His steps come nearer. Marianne and Bernard fall back into the shadow as the Chief of Staff opens the door and walks in. 52 PAWNS OF WAR FALKENHOKST (lavghs to himself. Aloud) Meine Damen und Herren — 'prosit! MARIANNE {to Bernard, in a half-whisper) He's at that again . . . \_Falkenhorst stands between door to dining room and door to hall. BERNARD {to Marianne) For the love of God . . . get out of the room. MARIANNE {same low, tense voice) No. I feel safer here with you. BERNARD Look at the man . . . MARIANNE He's drunk all right. BERNARD Yes, he mustn't see you . . . MARIANNE I'm not afraid. BERNARD You mustn't be. MARIANNE What could happen? BERNARD {in a half-ichisper) The way he looked at you — Marianne — before . . . How was it.f* MARIANNE He kissed my hand. BERNARD You must slip out quietly before he sees you. MARIANNE If you could get him away from the door . . . PAWNS OF WAR 53 BERNARD I'll speak to him . . . then you slip out. MARIANNE Qiolds Mm back) No, no, Bernard . . . wait. BERNARD Marianne ... he mustn't see you . . . MARIANNE Why don't they come back.'' Why don't they come? BERNARD S-s-h ! Now — while his back is turned — go ! \_Marianne crosses the room softly: just as she reaches the hall door, Falkenhorst wheels into her path. FALKENHORST Ah, so . . . you are here — gnddiges Frdulein? (She tries to push past him: then reconsiders arid stands perfectly still, looking at him with what sternness she can command. He takes her hand and raises it to his lips with an elaborate show of gallantry. She draws herself up to her full height, and, looking him steadily in the eyes, shakes off his hold. Bernard, who has come up to Falkenhorst, makes a menacing movement which the Chief of Staf either does not see or chooses to disre- gard) So! . . . You do not like me, Frdulein? [He takes her hand again. She tries to break away. MARIANNE Don't! BERNARD (pale and sullen) Stop! {Falkenhorst lets go of her hand and makes her a low bow. FALKENHORST Do not be afraid. 54 PAWNS OF WAR MARIANNE I am not afraid. FALKENHORST That is good — very good — that I like. Not afraid — eh? Why are you in such a hurry to get away from me.-* MARIANNE Let me pass — if you please. BERNARD {Tuokes a move as though to free Marianne's wrist from Falkenhorsfs grasp) Don't you understand.'' Let my sister pass. What right — MARIANNE (in a sharp whisper) Bernard ! FALKENHORST (without looking at Bernard) She can speak for herself, junger Herr. \_Marianne restrains Bernard. FALKENHORST Not afraid! . . . Good! . . . You may pass, gnddiges Frdulein. IJHe salutes and stands at attention. She turns to go. At the same moment Falkenhorst observes Bernard's menacing attitude. FALKENHORST (with a short, ironic laugh) Good night! . . . First you will bid me good night. MARIANNE Good night. FALKENHORST Your hand, gnddiges Frdulein. ZHe takes her hand. BERNARD (springs at him) Let go — I tell you. PAWNS OF WAR 55 MARIANNE Bernard ! FALKENHORST (ignoring Bernard) Frdulein — gnadiges Frdidein — our maidens are good to look at, but they have not such a little devil shining in their eyes. Not afraid — No? . . . Not afraid of me? MARIANNE (ivaving Bernard back) No, I'm not afraid. FALKENHORST Such a pretty hand! . . . Not afraid? . . . And you have a pretty mouth, Frdulein. Suppose — now — I — take — a little kiss . . . [^Marianne starts back. The Chief of Staff pids his arm around her and strains her to him, kissing her fiercely as he drags her toward the door. Marianne breaks away. He follows her. Bernard walks stealthily after him with drawn revolver. There is a confused sound of footsteps. Marianne's voice (muffled from the hall) Oh! — don't! . . . \_There is the report of a revolver and the dull thud of a falling body. Then a moment's silence. JVith hands raised, palms oidward, covering her eyes, Marianne walks backwards into the room. RiTTA (comes in) What was that, Miss Marianne? MARIANNE (slowly lowering her hands) S-s-h! RITTA My heart stood still. I thought some one was shot. 56 PAWNS OF WAR MARIANNE S-s-h! Ritta . . . Yes — he's dead — that man! RITTA Dead! MARIANNE Ritta! ... if they've heard ... if they come in . . . nothing's happened . . . here ... It was outside . . . somewhere — that shot. \_Marianne and Ritta stand together, straining their ears for the sound of approaching footsteps. Mari- anne's attitude is one of agonized suspense. RITTA They're not coming . . . They didn't notice ... So much shooting all the time . . . They couldn't tell where — MARIANNE (to Bernard, who comes in slowly, peering into the shadows, in a tense whisper) Where have you . . . ? BERNARD I dragged him away from the banisters . . . He was too hea\'y — to lift, MARI.\NNE The revolver, Bernard? BERNARD In Baldwin's room. MARIANNE You must get away now — before they come . . . You, too, Ritta. When they find out . . . (suddenly remembering) Bernard! Bernard! — the proclamation!! — Save yourself! Ritta — get away — go the back way — to the Neefs. Tell them — PAWNS OF WAR 57 BERNARD Listen . . . ! BERNARD Qioarsely) They're coming! MARIANNE Why don't you go — go — go! BERNARD Go? . . . Where? ... I'd be stopped. I've no pass- port. \_Marianne 'pushes Ritta toward the door. MARIANNE Follow Ritta . . . The back door . . . Quick! ... To the Neefs! BERNARD No. MRS. esterlinck's VOICE (from a distance, calling faintly) Marianne! MARIANNE Mother — calling ! (Sound of heavy footsteps approach- ing) Put out the candles over there — you're so white . . . MRS. esterlinck's VOICE (from a distance, calling again) Bernard! Bernard! MARIANNE Hide yourself — Bernard — for the love of God . . . [^Footsteps come nearer. The outer door is heard to open. RITTA (pulling Bernard by the arm) Come! Come! MRS. esterlinck's VOICE (stronger than before) Marianne! Bernard! 58 PAWNS OF WAR MARIANNE Go, Bernard! MRS. esterlinck's VOICE (comes nearer) Bernard ! Bernard ! [^Bernard starts to go to his mother. MARIANNE No, no, save yourself ! Go ! BERNARD She'll come out . . . She'll see . . . ^As Dr. Esterlinck and General von Wahlhayn emerge from the darkness into the semi-darkness, Ritta runs down the hall, and Marianne hurries upstairs. Bernard retreats to the farthest corner of the room. DR. ESTERLINCK No light! {He strikes a match and lights the candle nearest him. To General von Wahlhayn, anxiety and surprise in his tone) There is blood on your hand. You are hurt. GENERAL VON WAHLHAYN I felt a stinging pain in my wrist here — and then — nothing more. £Dr. Esterlinck makes a tourniquet to stop the bleeding. DR. ESTERLINCK This is a bad business. (Calls) Bernard! (No answer. He calls again sharply) Bernard! (Bernard comes slowly across the room. He is pale and strangely shaken) Here — hold that — this way — so. (He tightens the tourniquet. To the general) Hold up your arm . . . higher. GENERAL VON WAHLHAYN (lifting his arm) Like this? PAWNS OF WAR 59 DR. ESTERLINCK The forearm will do. GENERAL VON WAHLHAYN So. . . DR. ESTERLINCK Rest your elbow on your knee . . . Prop it up with your right hand. GENERAL VON W^AHLHAYN It bleeds all right — doesn't it? DR. ESTERLINCK One minute now — that will stop. {To Bernard) Put your finger so. Now press. Press hard. That's the way. The large vein is cut. Some stitches must be taken. {Lifts a candle and looks about. Goes into the dining room a moment) All this confusion and no hght . . . GENERAL VON WAHLHAYN Can't you find what you need.? DR. ESTERLINCK In the dark . . . Everything topsy-turvy . . . GENERAL VON W^AHLHAYN Let it go till morning. DR. ESTERLINCK {points to toumiquet) Can you stand that all night? GENERAL VON WAHLHAYN I've stood worse things. DR. ESTERLINCK Just the same, in about ten minutes you could have bled to death . . , GENERAL VON WAHLHAYN Bad as that? 60 PAWNS OF WAR DR. ESTERLINCK Yes . . . When were you hit? GENERAL VON WAHLHAYN You heard the shot — when those two men ran by — just as we stood up. DR. ESTERLINCK I must have more light. Bernard, can't you get a httle more Hght here.'' BERNARD {in a voice divested of all expression) Orders were — no hghts. DR. ESTERLINCK I had forgotten. Lights are all off. Bring more candles. And call your mother — no, not your mother — call Marianne. [^Bernard takes his fingers off the tourniquet suddenly. The burgomaster springs forward. DR. ESTERLINCK Bernard! . . . Look out! [He tightens the tourniquet. GENERAL VON WAHLHAYN It isn't a pleasant business for him — this helping me. DR. ESTERLINCK My son has had a long sickness. He isn't strong yet. Otherwise — [_The burgomaster checks himself. GENERAL VON W^AHLHAYN Yes, otherwise? DR. ESTERLINCK He's crazy to be a soldier. GENERAL VON WAHLHAYN You'd like to keep one son. PAWNS OF WAR 61 DR. E8TERLINCK We are a little country, and if our sons are needed — however hard — GENERAL VON WAHLHAYN I had three sons when I was given my command. Two fell before Liege. The other, in the East — at Allenstein. Now — I — have — none. DR. ESTERLINCK Yes, yes, keep your arm up . . . GENERAL VON WAHLHAYN I don't know where they're buried. I don't know what happened — at the last . , . DR. ESTERLINCK (setting his teeth. In a low voice) A man mustn't let himself think about such things. It takes all the strength away. GENERAL VON WAHLHAYN I only know one thing — they were all proud to die — DR. ESTERLINCK (interrupting. Quietly) Turn a little to the left — please . . . My boy was only fourteen. GENERAL VON WAHLHAYN If I could give my three boys all over again — I would . . . DR. ESTERLINCK (grimly) I have still this one boy. GENERAL VON WAHLHAYN Yes, I would give all my boys — once more — for the cause. DR. ESTERLINCK Your Excellency — every man's country is his cause. ZThe general leans back suddenly. 62 PAWNS OF WAR DR. ESTERLINCK Are you faint? GENERAL VON WAHLHAYN It isn't much ... a little dizzy. DR. ESTERLINCK You've lost so much blood. When the candles come — (Calls) Bernard ! Bernard ! GENERAL VON WAHLHAYN How comes it that you are a surgeon? DR. ESTERLINCK For four generations one son has been a surgeon. My father was burgomaster before me. He was a surgeon too. He sent me to the Sorbonne. This was my father's house — the very furnishings here — And Baldwin, my boy — that's — (His voice breaks off) he was to go to the Sorbonne . . . Perhaps now — Bernard — if he is spared . . . \^A low shriek is heard and Marianne runs in, pale and breathless. DR. ESTERLINCK What's the matter? What's happened? MARIANNE Nothing . . . I — stumbled — that's all — and dropped the candles . . . Bernard — (Bernard says nothing but stands holding the candles like one dazed). Here are all the candles we have in the house. DR. ESTERLINCK Light them all. [^Marianne brings a candelabra from the adjoining room, then a platter. She arranges the candles and lights them. PAWNS OF WAR 63 DR. ESTERLINCK That's not so bad. Now bring a basin of water . . . and a decent bandage, Marianne. GENERAL VON WAHLHAYN It's quiet as death here now . . . {Bernard starts violently. DR. ESTERLINCK Thank God! . . . then somebody can sleep . . . GENERAL VON WAHLHAYN My Chief of Staff can sleep, I tell you . . . He sleeps like a dead man. {Bernard is seen to be on the verge of collapse. DR. ESTERLINCK You'll have to get some rest now with that. [Points to general's wrist. GENERAL VON WAHLHAYN Yes. I'll see my Chief first: then I'll turn in — at last. Well, let him sleep yet — a little while . . . {Marianne suppresses a low cry. DR. ESTERLINCK What is it, Marianne? GENERAL VON WAHLHAYN The sight of blood, perhaps . . . MARIANNE No. I've grown used to the sight of blood since morning. Father . . . how can Mother sleep . . . how can she sleep — now.f^ DR. ESTERLINCK Is she asleep ! ? MARIANNE Yes. 64 PAWNS OF WAR DR. ESTERLINCK I gave her something to make her sleep. She couldn't go on that way. She'll be better when she wakes up m the morning. GENERAL VON WAHLHAYN (listening) What's that noise? DR. ESTERLINCK {listening closely) Up toward the Square. It's nothing. Now — it's stopping . . . GENERAL VON WAHLHAYN In the trenches they drop down and sleep — sleep — shells flying right over their heads — sleep like dead men. [^Bernard and Marianne are tense and moveless. DR. ESTERLINCK Now — that will hold nicely till morning. Then I'll sew you up. Be careful not to let that bandage slip. GENERAL VON WAHLHAYN (to Marianne) You ought to be a nurse. MARIANNE I want to be a nurse. DR. ESTERLINCK She's got one soldier to look after. GENERAL VON WAHLHAYN It gives me great pleasure to be cared for — DR. ESTERLINCK Yes, yes, you, too. General . . . But she's got one soldier to take care of for the rest of her life. GENERAL VON WAHLHAYN The young lady is betrothed to a soldier? DR. ESTERLINCK That's it, your Excellency. PAWNS OF WAR 65 -T— — ^-^— ^— ^— ^— — — — ^— — — — — — — — ^— — — — ~— — MARIANNE (proudly) He's captain of his company. DR. ESTERLiNCK (under his breath) They pick off the officers first. MARIANNE What do you say, Father.? DR. ESTERLINCK Marianne — you go and call Ritta. MARIANNE Oh, Father, poor Ritta's tired — on the go all day long. Half the town's been here for something to eat. Poor things! It's little enough we could give them . . . But it keeps them from starving. DR. ESTERLINCK Then, Marianne, you must go into the kitchen and get a cup of coffee for the general. GENERAL VON WAHLHAYN Not at all — so much trouble — and so late. DR. ESTERLINCK A cup of coffee will do you good. You are weaker than you think. Marianne! MARIANNE Yes, Father, with pleasure. GENERAL VON WAHLHAYN I thank you very much, my young lady. MARIANNE In a few minutes now if the fire is good. GENERAL VON WAHLHAYN Should we not — perhaps — help you — with that fire? MARIANNE No, your Excellency . , . unless — Bernard will come — {mth significant appeal) Bernard ! . . . 66 PAWNS OF WAR [^Bernard, who has withdrawn into the shadow, does not respond. There is silence in the room for half a minute — then Marianne returns. MARIANNE (standing in the dining room door) The coffee is still hot. Your orderly — in the yard — has just made himself fresh coffee. GENERAL VON WAHLHAYN Even that they can do at need — my good fellows. DR. ESTERLiNCK (wams Marianne with a look) I grudge no man food and drink. MARIANNE While it lasts, Father, while it lasts. \^She puts out most of the caiidles burning on the platter, and lifts the platter to carry it into the dining room. GENERAL VON WAHLHAYN That is good German thrift. MARIANNE They may be needed to save some other person's life. GENERAL VON WAHLHAYN It seems you have really saved my life, then . . . [He attempts to rise. DR. ESTERLINCK Go slow, your Excellency. GENERAL VON WAHLHAYN And I shan't forget that in a hurry. DR. ESTERLINCK It's my business to save life. GENERAL VON WAHLHAYN I have only to look at my wrist. PAWNS OF WAR 67 DR. ESTERLINCK The mark'll stay by you a good while, I'm afraid. GENERAL VON WAHLHAYN At my age, I suppose so. DR. ESTERLINCK Pour the coffee, Marianne. (To the general) Come, let me help you into the dining room ... Or would you prefer to drink your coffee here.? BERNARD (in unconscious, terrified protest) Father! £At his tone the burgomaster crosses toward him. BERNARD {wUdly, in a whisper) No, no, no! MARIANNE The coffee is poured. [Dr. Esterlinck assists General von Wahlhayn to rise. GENERAL VON WAHLHAYN (standing alone. To Mari- anne) I make you my compliments. \jGeneral von Wahlhayn walks alone. DR. ESTERLINCK How do you feel now? GENERAL VON WAHLHAYN You have made me very comfortable, you and the gnadiges Fraulein. I make you both my com- pliments. [The general follows Marianne into the dining room: the burgomaster is about to follow when Bernard stops him with a low half-articulate cry. DR. ESTERLINCK (to the general) K you will excuse me, your Excellency . . . one minute . . . (Dr. Esterlinck closes tJie door gently and 68 PAWNS OF WAR turns to look after Bernard, who has retreated into the shadow again) Now — Bernard? . . . [_Both men move slowly into the candlelight. BERNARD {gasps, shuddering) Father! DR. ESTERLiNCK (looks to make sure that the door is closed) What is the matter with you? BERNARD Father . . . I — DR. ESTERLINCK You are white as a sheet. BERNARD (in a terrified whisper) Up-stairs — DR. ESTERLINCK Up-stairs ... Go on. Why are you trembhng so? BERNARD S-s-s-h ! . . . Up-stairs — [Jle stops and listens fearfully to the sounds in the adjoining room. DR. ESTERLINCK Go on. What have you seen? BERNARD Up-stairs — near the landing — DR. ESTERLINCK What has happened here? BERNARD While you were — gone — [^Conversation between the general and Marianne sud- denly ceases. Bernard seems to lose his power of speech. DR. ESTERLINCK (sternly) Speak! Speak! PAWNS OF WAR 69 BERNARD There ... at the head of the stairs . . . He was heavy to drag ... in the dark. DR. ESTERLINCK What are you saying? BERNARD If — he — turns around — up there — with a light, — he will see him. DR. ESTERLINCK What have you done? BERNARD There — on the landing — his Chief of Staff — DR. ESTERLINCK (starts in the direction of the halt) The Chief of Staff! . . . You — have — {Bernard silences his father with an imploring gesture. BERNARD Father — it — had — to — be. DR. ESTERLINCK {hoarscly) The — general — must — be — told. BERNARD It — had — to — be. DR. ESTERLINCK It's all over with us. BERNARD No, no, not you! — not Mother! . . . not — DR. ESTERLINCK All — all of us . . . BERNARD All of us — Mother — Marianne . . . DR. ESTERLINCK All of us. 70 PAWNS OF WAR BERNARD He can't do it ... he canH. DR. ESTERLINCK Were you out of your senses . . . or . . . what? BERNARD Father, . . . listen ... I had to shoot him . . . He was following my sister. DR. ESTERLINCK Here — in my own house — the — BERNARD Must we all die.'' Father, must we all die — Mother . . . Marianne.? DR. ESTERLINCK Why not? Read the proclamation. It is posted everywhere. BERNARD You . . . Mother . . . Marianne . . . DR. ESTERLINCK I gave him my word. BERNARD Father . . . forgive me . . . (In tones of mortal agony) Dear Lord Jesus, save my poor mother, save my little sister . . . DR. ESTERLINCK (with stem compassion) Be still, Bernard; we must take our medicine like men. BERNARD Forgive me, forgive me, Father. DR. ESTERLINCK There is nothing to forgive. BERNARD Killed you — killed you all . . . PAWNS OF WAR 71 DR. ESTERLINCK You did what you had to do. BERNARD To die — all of us . . . DR. ESTERLINCK The general — must — be — told. [^The conversation in the dining room stops. The door opens. BERNARD Now , . . now . . . he's coming! \\Marianne and the general enter. DR. ESTERLINCK (calmly to Marianne) Go to your room, Marianne. (She hesitates and looks from her father to Bernard) Don't be afraid . . . MARIANNE I'm not afraid, Father . . . GENERAL VON WAHLHAYN (wheu Marianne has gone) A beautiful young girl ! DR. ESTERLINCK And good as she is beautiful . . . (Looking fixedly at Bernard) And brave as she is good. GENERAL VON WAHLHAYN That may well be. DR. ESTERLINCK General von Wahlhayn ... I — GENERAL VON WAHLHAYN And now will you have the goodness to wake up my Chief of Staff.? DR. ESTERLINCK General . . . I . . . cannot waken him . . . GENERAL VON WAHLHAYN How so? How so? 72 PAWNS OF WAR DR. ESTERLINCK General, your Chief of Staff . . . has been shot ... I — BERNARD I — / shot him . . . He was following my sister. (Under his breath) Dear Lord Jesus . . . save my mother . . . save my sister. CURTAIN THE THIRD ACT Scene is the same as in Acts I and II MARIANNE Shot! . . . shot! ... At dawn . . . MRS. ESTERLINCK Was I asleep.^ . . . oh, yes — now I remember . . . And I dreamed ... Or — was I asleep? MARIANNE Yes, Mother, you were asleep. MRS. ESTERLINCK Well, then ... I dreamed — that we were in this room together — you and I — all alone — and it was morning . . . MARIANNE {fearfully) Do you know what's going to happen in the morning. Mother? MRS. ESTERLINCK It was morning — and I called your father . . . He didn't come . . . Nor Bernard . . . But Baldwin — {Her face lights up happily) Baldwin heard me . . . He answered me . . . He came . . . MARIANNE {grips her mother's hands) Your hands are so cold . . . Mother! MRS. ESTERLINCK He has never been away from home so long before . . . He was hungry — was my boy . . . And he wanted his coffee . . I got out his old cup with the hunter on it . . , He always called it a soldier . . . [^Suddenly she falls silent. 74 PAWNS OF WAR MARIANNE Mother ... do you think it's going to happen . . . really.^ MRS. ESTERLINCK And I was so happy when he gave up the notion of being a soldier, and promised Papa to study and go to the Sorbonne . . .I've put his clean clothes on the chair . . . My little Baldwin! . . . home at last! . . . And I got out his cup . . . and then — I woke up — and . . . (She lookes around her in a dazed way) He isn't here at all . . . He isn't home at all. . . MARIANNE Oh, Mother, it's not true that we're going to be shot at dawn . . . shot ! At dawn ! Mother ! . . . Are we.^* ... If there's a God in Heaven, we can't be . . . MRS. ESTERLINCK They don't care for God in Heaven when there's war . . . He was standing right there . . . and then, I woke up . . . MARIANNE We'll soon be with Baldwin now. MRS. ESTERLINCK When my boys were little, I planned a great future for them . . . Baldwin was all for war — MARAINNE The sky's getting lighter . . . MRS. ESTERLINCK Always drums and a soldier suit ... I thought per- haps — some day — he might be a great general . . . Or a Chief of Staff . . . What is it about the Chief of Staff, Marianne . . . ? PAWNS OF WAR 75 MARIANNE {at the window) Paul's fighting for us . . . He won't know . . . MKS. ESTERLINCK I planned a great future for my boys. Marianne will make a fine match — the daughter of a surgeon — and the burgomaster — the burgomaster's daughter. MARIANNE We'll be shot . . . and Paul won't know . . . MRS. ESTERLINCK I've tried to be a good mother ... It isn't easy. Boys will be boys. They're good boys, too . . . Why are we waiting here? . . . Father was always fondest of the girl — you, Marianne . . . But proud of the boys! — Great, big, strapping boys! MARIANNE It'll soon be all over for us. Mother . . . Poor Father ! MRS. ESTERLINCK (mechanically) Poor Father! . . . MARIANNE (putting her arms around her mother) We won't be parted . . . we'll all be together ... at the last. MRS. ESTERLINCK At the last . . . MARIANNE Mother, why do you look so — Don't you under- stand.? They're going to shoot us . . . Father and Bernard and you and me, your poor Marianne . . . And Paul will five and marry some one else . . . MRS. ESTERLINCK No, no, no, not you . . . not Bernard . . . Father and I — together . . . But we must look after the children ... we must look after them. 76 PAWNS OF WAR ^ MARIANNE I shall never see Paul again . , . Mother — give me your hand . . . Mother — are you afraid?. MRS. ESTERLINCK We must look after our children. We must see that they are safe. MARIANNE {lifting the curtain) Mother — the stars are all gone — only one left in the sky — 'way over there — in the east — a light is breaking through . . . Mother — are you afraid.? . . . Mother — speak to me . . . Mother — is it the dawn? MRS. ESTERLINCK It's not going to happen. God won't let such a thing happen. MARIANNE What do they care for God, — these generals who order girls shot! Think of Leonie! For hours and hours she stayed in that empty house, telephoning to our people. She was only seventeen. . . But they shot her . . . I'm thinking of her now, Mother ... I want to think of her. She was not afraid. She stood up like a queen, and they shot her through the heart . . . Do they always shoot through the heart. Mother? MRS. ESTERLINCK Hush, Marianne! They'll hear you and take you away from me . . . \^A cock crows. MRS. ESTERLINCK (looks out of the v)indow) Old Tip is crowing . . . now it's coming — MARIANNE (fearfully, closing her eyes) The dawn! . . . PAWNS OF WAR 77 MRS. ESTERLINCK Why are we not sleeping in our beds like Christians? . . . The house is so still . . , like death . . . Listen! . . . The birds are beginning to sing. MARIANNE Mother ... I can't bear it — never to hear the birds sing in the yard again . . . never to see another day ... I'll go to the general . . .I'll beg the general to let us live ... on my knees . . . MRS. ESTERLINCK Yes, yes, he mustn't harm Bernard . . . One is enough. They mustn't take Bernard, too. MARIANNE What have we done ....'' Our people are peaceful. We only ask to be let alone. And these strange soldiers come along and drive us into our graves . . . MRS. ESTERLINCK Ritta is making the coffee ... It smells good, doesn't it, Marianne? MARIANNE Mother! . . . Look at me . . . Do you forget? MRS. ESTERLINCK The clock is running down. I forgot to wind it . . . So much trouble. \^Mrs. Esterlinck presses her hand to her head. MARIANNE Poor Mother! [^She kisses her mother. MRS. ESTERLINCK Call your father, Marianne . . . Bring Papa here . . . MARIANNE (rattling the door knob) They have locked the door. 78 PAWNS OF WAR MRS. ESTERLINCK Why have they locked the door? MARIANNE (shaking the door) Open this door! Open . . . MRS. ESTERLINCK (not raising her voice) Papa! . . . Bernard! . . . Come! man's voice (the other side of the door) Was gibfs? MARIANNE Open that door. (Wildly) Open it! Open it! [^The door is opened suddenly, and Marianne starts out of the room. The guard blocks her way. GUARD It is forbidden. MARIANNE I want my father — my brother . . . GUARD It is forbidden. MARIANNE My mother here — she wants to see them . . . We must see them . . . speak to them . . . GUARD It is forbidden. MARIANNE My own father! In our own house! (Trying to push past the guard) Let me pass . . . GUARD It is forbidden. MARIANNE Who are you to forbid us — anything — here — in our own house . . . My own brother . . . PAWNS OF WAR 79 ]VmS. ESTERLINCK My son . . . my husband — the burgomaster . . . [^Marianne tries to get through the door. MARIANNE (calls OUt) Father! . . . Bernard! ]^The guard pushes her hack again. GUARD (stolidly) It is forbidden. MARIANNE Why doesn't God strike you dead? A man's voice Die Damen trinken jetzt Kaffee. GUARD Ach, so! (Takes Marianne and her mother by the arm) Die Damen trinken jetzt Kaffee. The ladies shall now drink their coffee. \^Marianne tries to free herself from his hold. MRS. ESTERLINCK No, no, Marianne — don't! He might hurt you. \_The guard half-carries Marianne into the dining room. Mrs. Esterlinck follows passively. A small detachment of German soldiers marches by singing: l^^^^S^^rf In der Hei - mat, in der Hei-mat, da gibts ein Wie-der pehn In the home land, in the home land, there we shall meet a - gain Dr. Esterlinck enters accompanied by General von Wahlhayn. He listens to the words of the song, sets his teeth together, terribly shaken. DR. esterlinck God! 80 PAWNS OF WAR GENERAL VON WAHLHAYN If it were only myself . . . But my duty, Dr. Ester- linck . . . DR. ESTERLINCK Do what you must. GENERAL VON WAHLHAYN My honor — DR. ESTERLINCK Only — get it over with — quickly ! GENERAL VON WAHLHAYN If there is anything — {Dr. Esterlinck starts as though to speak, stops and closes his eyes a few seconds) — any- thing — at all possible — that I can do . . . DR. ESTERLINCK {quietly as though to himselj) Twenty-four hours ago this was a peaceful village; life wasn't such a bad business ... I had plans . . . Now - — my wife — my children . . . {He is unable to go on for a minute and they stand together in silence.) Now our people are homeless — the town is choked with blood . . . My youngest lies — {His voice fails for the second time) And now — the one boy left me — he, too ! . . . My wife ! ... And my girl ! Your Excellency — it is horrible . . . Must they — they, too ... ? GENERAL VON WAHLHAYN Dr. Esterlinck, I owe you my life — and if it were mine to give — you should go — unharmed — you and yours; but my life is not my own; it is pledged to the honor of the Fatherland; I am general of the Sixteenth Division; the order has been given; the proclamation is posted on your walls; my Chief of Staff has been shot down in this house; there is no way out. PAWNS OF WAR 81 DR. ESTERLINCK Shoot me. I ask nothing for myself. Shoot me. I am ready . . . And my boy — if you must . . . But my poor wife ! . , . My girl ! Put yourself in my place; if it were your wife, your Excellency — if it were your daughter; if you had a daughter like mine . . . Your Excellency — can you find it — in your heart — to have them — [He breaks down, groaning. GENERAL VON WAHLHAYN (suddenly makes a tremen- dous decision) No, no. Dr. Esterlinck, not your wife and daughter ... I couldn't . . . No, no! Dr. Esterhnck, your wife and daughter! — they are safe! DR. ESTERLINCK {in a horrible revulsion oj joy) A-h-h ! . . . Thank you, General . . . GENERAL VON WAHLHAYN I'll take you in to them . . . You can tell them — DR. ESTERLINCK No. No. Don't do that , . . They couldn't stand it . . . Afterward — tell them — why ... I mustn't make it harder for them . . . GENERAL VON WAHLHAYN Whatever I can do . . . DR. ESTERLINCK Perhaps it would be better to take them along . . . Who know^s how long they'll have a crust to eat — or a roof over their heads . . . GENERAL VON WAHLHAYN The house shan't be harmed. I'll see that they're cared for. [Sound of many footsteps approaching. 82 PAWNS OF WAR DR. ESTERLINCK They're coming . . . GENERAL VON WAHLHAYN They're brmgmg in your son . . . You'll have some- thing to say to him. DR. ESTERLINCK Yes. He's so young. He doesn't want to — die. That's natural. All his life I've been getting him ready to live. I must help him now. {General von Wahlhayn stands at attention and salutes Dr. Ester- linck, resting his heavy helmet against his wounded wrist. As the general passes out) Be careful of your wound. \_Guards bring Bernard into the room and withdraw. BERNARD Father — is it — now.^* DR. ESTERLINCK Yes, my son, when I have spoken to you ... a minute . . . BERNARD Will they take us — all together — IVIother — Mari- anne.'' DR. ESTERLINCK No . . . not Mother and Marianne . . . The general — has — promised to look after — them. BERNARD I want to see them, Father : I want to say good-by . . . DR. ESTERLINCK It won't help, Bernard. You couldn't stand it. The general will tell them — afterward. BERNARD Father — if the first fire — should miss? PAWNS OF WAR 83 DR. ESTERLINCK It won't miss . . . There'll be ten of them. BERNARD Will they blindfold us? DR. ESTERLINCK They always do. BERNARD Father . . . you'll be with me? DR. ESTERLINCK I'll be with you — all through. [The guard has opened the door. Dr. Esterlinck bows silently and leads Bernard out of the room. Their foot- steps die away. Mrs. Esterlinck and Marianne are brought back into the living room. MARIANNE (to the guard) Aren't they going to — take — us — soon — now? GUARD No. MARIANNE Where are they — my father — my brother? When are they coming? (The guard goes out. There is the sound of the key turning in the lock. Sound out- side of feet tramping. Marianne springs up and runs to the window) Father! Bernard! Mother! They're going to be shot . . . They're going to be shot. (She falls back as though about to swoon. Rushing wildly back to the window again) Devils! Devils! You shall not murder them! [One volley. MARIANNE Father! . . . Dear Father! . . . Bernard! . . . Brother! (The mother has become rigid. Gradually she re- PAWNS OF WAR taxes into a strange passivity. Marianne, heating against the door) Father! . . . Bernard! Can you hear me? {She falls at her mother's side. Second volley. Mariaime raises herself to her knees) They're gone . . . gone . . . both gone . . . [^Marianne on her knees moans bitterly and sways from side to side with clasped hands lifted as though in prayer. MRS. ESTERLiNCK (iu a strangely calm, unmoved even tone) I would like to speak to your father a minute, Marianne. B£ARIANNE Mother . . . don't you know.'* . . . Father's . . . gone . . . (She tries to stifle her agony) Father! Bernard! Gone! MRS. ESTERLINCK (same tone) Marianne, call him. (Marianne does not move. After a moment's silence) Bernard will call him . . . Where is Bernard? Why does Bernard stay away so long? (Her voice sinks) Perhaps they have found Baldwin . . . They are bringing Baldwin home. Let us get the bed ready for Baldwin. MARIANNE Mother . . . love me . . . Take me in your arms . . . I'm all you've got now . . . your poor Marianne . . . Mother, love me . . . You're the only one to love me. [^She weeps. MRS. ESTERLINCK (a little qucrulous) Why are you crying? See! You are spotting my silk gown — my new black silk gown . , . (Like one stunned, putting her hands to her head) Is it PAWNS OF WAR 85 Sunday, Marianne? Or why am I wearing my new black silk gown? MARIANNE Oh, my God, Mother! . . . Don't you remember? . . . Mother! . . . Mother! (She lays both her hands on her mother's shoulders) Don't you remember? (She shakes her mother) Don't you remember? . . . They've killed them — Baldwin, Father, and Ber- nard! (Wildly, gripping her mother's arm) You must remember . . . You shall remember . . . Look at me! . . . Look at me! . . . (She raises her mother's face and stares into the strangely passive eyes with their set pupils. Then, terrified beyond human endurance) Mother, speak to me . . . speak! [_She falls away and shrieks at the unearthly calm oj her mother's faint, slaw smile. MRS. ESTERLiNCK (pats Marianne gently) There! . . . There! They'll be home soon now and everything will be all right. THE END Deacidified using the Bookkeeper process. 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