Afternoon, Agnes! Agnes. Afternoon, uncle! Major. (_Goes to the table, examines the letters, sits down and looks straight before him for a little while_.) Wilhelm! Wilhelm. What does the Major wish? Major. Stephan is to come at once to the castle. Wilhelm. Very well, Major. (_Exit_.) Major. Agnes, my child, just listen to me ... You are a reasonable creature ... One that I can talk to.... So the rascal has again not written. He should have come to us, day before yesterday. Has made no excuses--doesn't write--nothing. That has not happened during the six years that he has been away from home. I ordered him most strictly to send a letter, or at least a card, every day--for with her illness, your aunt must be guarded against the slightest anxiety or excitement. He knows that, and moreover has always observed it conscientiously. I can't any longer be responsible for your aunt and her weakened heart. Unless we use every means to keep her in her--visionary life, she will go to pieces. Agnes. Uncle! Major. We must make up our minds to that, Agnes. Really, I do what I can. Yesterday I even forged a telegram to her--you know that, eh! I did intend to write to his intimate friend Hallerpfort, but thought better of it. I shall drive into town directly after dark. Without your aunt knowing it, of course--for now, during the harvest, that would upset her still more. So you will stay all night with her, and er--well, the rest I will arrange with Stephan. Agnes. Very well, dear uncle. Major. Just come here, girl, look me in the face ... We two know each other and ... Eh? (Agnes _casts down her eyes_.) Major. Now see, I know very well that for two years you have been secretly corresponding with Fritz. Agnes. Uncle! (_Presses her hands to her face_.) Major. There, that will do, that will do, that will do.... You can well believe, if I had been opposed to it on principle, I should have long since put an end to the business, shouldn't I?... But there are things--well, in short, that you don't understand. Well, I should not have begun about the matter to-day, but necessity knows no law, eh? And if I go to see him this evening, I don't wish to grope altogether in the dark.... So--on the basis of what has just been said--have you, perhaps, by any chance had a letter from him? Agnes. No, uncle! Major. Hm! Agnes (_hesitating, embarrassed_). For some time we have not corresponded.