Robert Frank - Tapa blanda

This historic book may have numerous typos, missing text or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1914. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... THIRD ACT The study in the Prime Minister's official residence. Along the walls, which are covered with embossed leather, there are bookcases six feet high. In the background, a swinging door. At the left, a window and before it an enormous oak writing-desk. Forward on the same side, a cupboard. At the right, a sofa with table and chair in front of it. Winkelmann sits at the writing-desk occupied with a number of documents, which he arranges in packages. Blix puts his head in through the door. Winkelmann (springs up). Who is that? What do you want here?.. Oh, is it only you? Blix (comes nearer). I gave you a good fright, didn't I, Winkelmann? Winkelmann (sits down again). Yes, I go all to pieces at the least opportunity. Blix (Draws a chair up to the writing-desk and seats himself.) It isn't to be expected that you should not be nervous. 123 Almost everybody is, after all the terrors that have happened since we last met. And you especially in the course of your official duties must have seen strange things and at close range.... WlNKELMANN. I have not really seen much of it. For the truth is that I stayed in the cellar during most of the time. Blix. In the cellar? That is the last place I should have chosen. For suppose the house had been blown up, you would have been there under the ruins. Buried alive--Ugh, disgusting! WlNKELMANN. I thought of that, too; but what could I do? I simply could not endure to hear all the awful things that were going on. The mutterings and thunderings as if an earthquake were taking place, and at night the glow from the burning buildings.... Blix. Yes, and the screams of the wounded down in the street and the sight of the bodies that were carried off on stretchers--I shall never forget the three days it was going on. But now that i...