25. ProfessonBernhardi
34 PROFESSOR BERNHARDI: A PLAY
Pflugfelder: I know that you were a wit¬
ness.
Schreimann: Go on! Read!
Filitz (reading): During the scene in the
ante-room, the patient died without having re¬
ceived the consolation of her faith, which, as
Sister Ludmilla testified, she longed for. In
bringing this incident to the attention of the
government, we desire especially to inquire
how His Excellency, the Minister of Education,
intends to make reparation for the severely in¬
jured feelings of the Christian population of
Vienna, and what means His Excellency will
take to prevent a repetition of such a revolting
scene. Finally, it His Excellency does not
deem it advisable in the future to disregard
the claims of such persons to appointment of
public offices, who, by reason of their origin,
education and charaster, are not capable of
understanding the religious feelings of our
Christian populatien.
Signed:"
(Great commotion.)
Ebenwald: Now we are in a fine position—
Wenger: Why ’we: Nothing has been
said against the institute—
Pflugfelder: And our Director? This inter¬
pellation is nothing but a political maneuver
of the clerical and anti-Semitic parties.
Filitz: Nonsense!
Schreimann: I object—.
(Enter Bernhardi. He immediately takes
his place at the head of the table. The others
seat themselves.)
Bernhardi: Good evening, gentlemen!
box 31/8
PROFESSOR BERNHARDI: A PLAY 35
Please excuse me for being a little late.
hope that the gentlemen have passed the time
pleasantly. We will open the meeting. Be¬
fore reading the minutes, I take the liberty of
welcoming our new member, Doctor Wenger,
in the name of the Elizabethinum.
Wenger: Mr. President, Gentlemen!
would be inconsiderate on my part, were I to
take up your valuable time—
Ebenwald and Schreimann: Correct.
Wenger: Permit me to express my heart¬
felt thanks for the greatest honor—
(Noise.)
Schreimann (rising): In consideration of
the lateness of the hour, I move that we pro¬
ceed with the business of the meeting.
Bernhardi: Gentlemen! I took the liberty
consider
of calling this special meeting. 1
your presence here a proof of the great—let
me say—patriotic interest you all take in our
institution. It is proof of the fraternal fel¬
lowship that unites us all, in spite of some oc¬
casional differences of opinion which cannot
be altogether avoided amidst the staff of a
big institution. But when it comes to vital
questions, we have always been of one mind to
the joy of our friends and the dismay of our
enemies; we also have those!
Gentlemen! You all know why I have call¬
ed you together; nevertheless, it is my duty to
read to you the letter I received this morning
by special delivery.
Filitz: Hear! Hear!
Bernhardi (reading):“To the Honorable—.
I take the liberty of announcing to you that
34 PROFESSOR BERNHARDI: A PLAY
Pflugfelder: I know that you were a wit¬
ness.
Schreimann: Go on! Read!
Filitz (reading): During the scene in the
ante-room, the patient died without having re¬
ceived the consolation of her faith, which, as
Sister Ludmilla testified, she longed for. In
bringing this incident to the attention of the
government, we desire especially to inquire
how His Excellency, the Minister of Education,
intends to make reparation for the severely in¬
jured feelings of the Christian population of
Vienna, and what means His Excellency will
take to prevent a repetition of such a revolting
scene. Finally, it His Excellency does not
deem it advisable in the future to disregard
the claims of such persons to appointment of
public offices, who, by reason of their origin,
education and charaster, are not capable of
understanding the religious feelings of our
Christian populatien.
Signed:"
(Great commotion.)
Ebenwald: Now we are in a fine position—
Wenger: Why ’we: Nothing has been
said against the institute—
Pflugfelder: And our Director? This inter¬
pellation is nothing but a political maneuver
of the clerical and anti-Semitic parties.
Filitz: Nonsense!
Schreimann: I object—.
(Enter Bernhardi. He immediately takes
his place at the head of the table. The others
seat themselves.)
Bernhardi: Good evening, gentlemen!
box 31/8
PROFESSOR BERNHARDI: A PLAY 35
Please excuse me for being a little late.
hope that the gentlemen have passed the time
pleasantly. We will open the meeting. Be¬
fore reading the minutes, I take the liberty of
welcoming our new member, Doctor Wenger,
in the name of the Elizabethinum.
Wenger: Mr. President, Gentlemen!
would be inconsiderate on my part, were I to
take up your valuable time—
Ebenwald and Schreimann: Correct.
Wenger: Permit me to express my heart¬
felt thanks for the greatest honor—
(Noise.)
Schreimann (rising): In consideration of
the lateness of the hour, I move that we pro¬
ceed with the business of the meeting.
Bernhardi: Gentlemen! I took the liberty
consider
of calling this special meeting. 1
your presence here a proof of the great—let
me say—patriotic interest you all take in our
institution. It is proof of the fraternal fel¬
lowship that unites us all, in spite of some oc¬
casional differences of opinion which cannot
be altogether avoided amidst the staff of a
big institution. But when it comes to vital
questions, we have always been of one mind to
the joy of our friends and the dismay of our
enemies; we also have those!
Gentlemen! You all know why I have call¬
ed you together; nevertheless, it is my duty to
read to you the letter I received this morning
by special delivery.
Filitz: Hear! Hear!
Bernhardi (reading):“To the Honorable—.
I take the liberty of announcing to you that