--Oh, so it was Emma who led you astray, was it?
NOEJD. Well, not far from it. You know that unless the girl is
willing nothing ever happens.
CAPTAIN. Never mind all that: Are you the father of the child or
not?
NOEJD. Who knows?
CAPTAIN. What's that? Don't you know?
NOEJD. Why no--that is, you can never be sure.
CAPTAIN. Weren't you the only one?
NOEJD. Yes, that time, but you can't be sure for all that.
CAPTAIN. Are you trying to put the blame on Ludwig? Is that what
you are up to?
NOEJD. Well, you see it isn't easy to know who is to blame.
CAPTAIN. Yes, but you told Emma you would marry her.
NOEJD. Oh, a fellow's always got to say that--
CAPTAIN [to Pastor.] This is terrible, isn't it?
PASTOR. It's the old story over again. See here, Noejd, you surely
ought to know whether you are the father or not?
NOEJD. Well, of course I was mixed up with the girl--but you know
yourself, Pastor, that it needn't amount to anything for all that.
PASTOR. Look here, my lad, we are talking about you now. Surely you
won't leave the girl alone with the child. I suppose we can't
compel you to marry her, but you should provide for the child--that
you shall do!
NOEJD. Well, then, so must Ludwig, too.
CAPTAIN. Then the case must go to the courts. I cannot ferret out
the truth of all this, nor is it to my liking. So now be off.
PASTOR. One moment, Noejd. H'm--don't you think it dishonorable to
leave a girl destitute like that with her child? Don't you think
so? Don't you see that such conduct-- -- --h'm-- --h'm-- -- --
NOEJD.
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