KRAKAU [_with animation_]. I'll get it for you. [_Goes to his own chiffonier for it._] HELMS. We might as well move the tables together. It's more comfortable that way. KRAKAU. Certainly. [_Comes down with the chessboard and helps move the tables._] HELMS. Now you take my arm chair and read your paper. I'll play over here. KRAKAU. I wouldn't think of taking your chair. HELMS. You do as you are told. [_Sits on an ordinary chair._] I can reach better from one of these anyway. KRAKAU. Oh, well. [_Sits in the arm chair and unfolds the newspaper. There is a pause._] HELMS. Why don't you light your pipe? KRAKAU. Your throat-- HELMS. My throat is all right. Go on and smoke. KRAKAU [_comfortably lights his pipe, relaxes_]. Well, now we'll see how good you are at working out problems. HELMS. I don't think I can do it. KRAKAU [_reading_]. Sure you can. HELMS. Look here. Would you check with the bishop? KRAKAU [_studies the board_]. No ... that loses you the queen.... Hum ... you've sort of mixed it up.... Back with that rook. HELMS. How's that? KRAKAU. Brilliant! HELMS. Knut is back at school by this time. KRAKAU. Yes, probably studying his lessons. HELMS. He's a boy. KRAKAU. None better. HELMS. Isn't it nice to talk about him like this ... calm and friendly?... You have no cause to be jealous any more, ha, ha! KRAKAU. And you needn't be stuck up any more, ha, ha! HELMS. No, ha, ha! There, I've muddled it again. KRAKAU. No, you haven't.... Just move here ... and here. HELMS [_suddenly takes out his purse_]. By the way, I owe you twenty-seven pfennig. KRAKAU. There's no hurry. HELMS. Take it! KRAKAU. All right. [_He rises._] HELMS. Where are you going? KRAKAU [_at the chiffonier_]. We forgot the flowers. HELMS. Oh, yes! KRAKAU. They smell so fragrant. [_Puts them on the table._] HELMS [_takes a flower and puts it in Krakau's buttonhole_]. You must wear one. KRAKAU [_overcome_]. Thank you, Helms, thank you. [_They bend over the chessboard again._] HELMS [_rubs his hands with delight_]. Now white moves. KRAKAU [_considering_]. White moves.... I should say ... there ... that pawn ... I'd sacrifice it. HELMS [_picks it up with playful tenderness_]. Poor little white pawn! [_Places it on the board._] [_They study the next move absorbedly as the curtain falls._] [_Curtain._] BROTHERS A SARDONIC COMEDY BY LEWIS BEACH Copyright, 1920, by Frank Shay. All rights reserved. CHARACTERS SETH. LON. PA. BROTHERS was first presented by the Provincetown Players, New York. Applications for permission to produce BROTHERS should be addressed to Frank Shay, Four Christopher Street, New York City. No performance may take place without his consent. BROTHERS A SARDONIC COMEDY BY LEWIS BEACH