GER. This world is a small one. There he might have a wide field for his energies. He might be sent to a good school, and taught the ideals of our Christian civilization.
ALB. [Pondering anxiously.] You mean that you yourself would see to it that proper care was given to him?
GER. If I took him with me it would mean that I was interested in his future.
ALB. It is a startling proposition. What opportunity can you offer him?
GER. I am only a student myself. But my father is a man of importance in the world.
ALB. What does he do?
GER. He is John Isman. They call him the railroad king.
ALB. You have kings in your world, also!
GER. [Smiling.] After a fashion. yes.
ALB. I had not thought of this. I hardly know what to reply. [He starts.] What is that?
[An uproar is heard of left. Shouts and cries; music rises to deafening climax. Nibelungs flee on in terror.]
HAGEN. [Rushes on, struggling wildly, and dragging several Nibelungs.]
Let me go, I say! Take off these chains!
ALB. [Rising in seat.] Hagen!
HAGEN. I will not stand it, I tell you!
ALB. Hagen! Listen to me!
HAGEN. No!
ALB. I have something new to tell you. The earth-man has suggested taking you up with him to the world.
HAGEN. [A sudden wild expression flashes across his features.] No! [He gazes from one to the other, half beside himself.] You can't mean it!
ALB. It is true, Hagen.
HAGEN. What. why.
ALB. You would be sent to school and taught the ways of the earth-men.
Do you think that you would like to go?
HAGEN. [Wildly.] By the gods! I would!
ALB. [Nervously.] You will promise to obey.
HAGEN. I'll promise anything! I'll do anything!
ALB. Hagen, this is a very grave decision for me. It is such an unusual step! You would have to submit yourself to this gentleman, who is kind enough to take charge of you.
HAGEN. I Will! I will! Quick! [Holding out his chains.] Take them off!
ALB. [Doubtfully.] We can trust you?
HAGEN. You can trust me! You'll have no trouble. Take them off!
ALB. Off with them!
MIMI. [Advances and proceeds to work at chains with a file.] Yes, your majesty.
HAGEN. [TO GERALD.] Tell me! What am I to do?
GER. You are to have an education.
HAGEN. Yes? What's it like? Tell me more about the earth-people.
GER. It's too much to try to tell. You will be there soon.
HAGEN. Ah! Be quick there! [Tears one hand free and waves it.] By the gods!
ALB. [To GERALD.] You had best spend the night with us and consult with me.
HAGEN. No, no! No delay! What's there to consult about?
ALB. We have so much to settle. your clothes. your money.
HAGEN. Give me some gold. that will be all. Let us be off!
GER. I will attend to everything. There is no need of delay.
HAGEN. Come on! [Tears other hand free.] Aha! [Roams about the stage, clenching his hands and gesticulating, while the music rises to a tremendous climax.] Free! Free forever! Aha! Aha! [Turning to
GERALD.] Let us be off.
GER. All right. [To ALBERICH.] Good-bye, your majesty.
ALB. [Anxiously.] Good-bye.
HAGEN. Come on!
ALB. [As Nibelungs gather about, waving farewell.] Take care of yourself! Come back to me!
HAGEN. Free! Free! Ha, ha, ha!
MIMI. [With Nibelungs.] Good-bye!
ALB. Good-bye!
GER. Good-bye!
HAGEN. Free!
[Exit, with GERALD, amid chorus of farewells, and wild uproar of music.]
[CURTAIN]
ACT II
[Scene shows the library in a Fifth Avenue mansion; spacious and magnificent. There are folding doors right centre. There is a centre table with a reading lamp and books, and soft leather chairs. The walls are covered with bookcases. An entrance right to drawing-room.
Also an entrance left.]
[At rise: GERALD, in evening clothes, reading in front of fire.]
GER. [Stretching, and sighing.] Ah, me! I wish I'd stayed at the club.
Bother their dinner parties!
MRS. IS. [Enters right, a nervous, fussy little woman, in evening costume.] Well, Gerald.
GER. Yes, mother?
MRS. IS. You're not coming to dinner?
GER. You don't need me, mother. You've men enough, you said.
MRS. IS. I like to see something of my son now and then.
GER. I had my lunch very late, and I'm honestly not hungry. I'd rather sit and read.
MRS. IS. I declare, Gerald, you run this reading business into the ground. You cut yourself off from everyone.
GER. They don't miss me, mother.
MRS. IS. To-night Renaud is going to give us some crabflake a la Dewey! I told Mrs. Bagley-Willis I'd show her what crabflake could be.
She is simply green with envy of our chef.
GER. I fancy that's the reason you invite her, isn't it?
MRS. IS. [Laughs.] Perhaps.
[Exit right. He settles himself to read.]
HICKS. [Enters centre.] Mr. Gerald.
GER. Well?
HICKS. There was a man here to see you some time ago, Sir.
GER. A man to see me? Why didn't you let me know?
HICKS. I started to, Sir. But he disappeared, and I can't find him, Sir.
GER. Disappeared? What do you mean?
HICKS. He came to the side entrance, Sir; and one of the maids answered the bell. He was such a queer-looking chap that she was frightened, and called me. And then I went to ask if you were in, and he disappeared. I wasn't sure if he went out, Sir, or if he was still in the house.
GER. What did he look like?
HICKS. He was a little chap. so high. with a long beard and a humped back.
GER. [Startled.] Mimi!
HICKS. He said you knew him, sir.
GER. Yes! I would have seen him.
HICKS. I didn't know, sir.
GER. Watch out for him. He'll surely come back.
HICKS. Yes, Sir. I'm very sorry, sir.
[Exit centre.]
GER. [To himself.] Mimi! What can that mean?
Mimi. [Opens door, left, and peeps in.] Ha!
GER. [Starts.] Mimi!
MIMI. Ssh!
GER. What is it?
MIMI. Where is Prince Hagen?
GER. I don't know.
MIMI. You don't know?
GER. No.
MIMI. But I must see him!
GER. I've no idea where he is.
MIMI. But. you promised to take care of him!
GER. Yes. and I tried to. But he ran away.
MIMI. What?
GER. I've not heard of him for two years now.
MIMI. [Coming closer.] Tell me about it.
GER. I took him to a boarding school. a place where he'd be taken care of and taught. And he rebelled. he would not obey anyone.
. [Takes some faded telegrams from pocket book.] See! This is what I got.
MIMI. What are they?
GER. Telegrams they sent me. [Reads.] Hagen under physical restraint.
Whole school disorganized. Come immediately and take him away.
MIMI. Ha!
GER. That's one. And here's the other: Hagen has escaped, threatening teachers with revolver. Took train for New York. What shall we do?
[Puts away papers.] And that's all.
MIMI. All?
GER. That was over two years ago. And I've not heard of him since.
MIMI. But he must be found!
GER. I have tried. I can't.
MIMI. [Vehemently.] But we cannot do without him!
GER. What's the matter?
MIMI. I cannot tell you. But we must have him! The people need him!
GER. He has lost himself in this great city. What can I do?
MIMI. He must be found. [Voices heard centre.] What is that?