Altneuland: The Old-New-Land by Theodor Herzl

Author:Theodor Herzl [Herzl, Theodor]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Zionism;utopia;german;Israel;jewish state
Publisher: Wildside Press LLC
Published: 2018-12-15T00:00:00+00:00

IV

After the meeting the visitors observed the model agricultural equipment of Neudorf. Kingscourt was particularly interested in the chemical experiment station and the up-to-date engine house. Friedrich lingered for a while in the elementary school and the public library. The latter contained many popular scientific works. Miriam, as a teacher, answered all his questions. At first he was pleasantly surprised by the things she told him; but the more he heard about the physical and spiritual development of the growing generation, the more depressed he became. At last he sighed heavily.

“What’s the matter?” Miriam asked sympathetically.

“My heart is heavy, Miss Miriam. I see now that I neglected a duty. I could have had, would have been obliged to have a share in all this wonderful work of national restoration. I was an educated man, and ought to have foreseen what was coming. But, no. I was absorbed in my own petty troubles. I ran away, and stupidly wasted twenty years. I can hardly tell you how all this I see affects me. I—I am ashamed of myself.”

She tried to comfort him.

“No, Miss Miriam, you mustn’t try to console me. Your own life is so useful that you can contradict me only out of the kindness of your heart, and not out of conviction. I am ashamed of my passivity, of my egotism. It was my duty as an educated man to have taken the part of my unfortunate people. I neglected that duty shamefully. Pity me if you can, Miss Miriam, but do not despise me!”

“Despise you! How could I do that?” she returned softly. “You, the benefactor of our house!”

“Please don’t mention that again,” he begged. “Your praise merely humiliates me. I know only too well that I do not deserve praise. The intellectuals of my time had the duty, similar to the noblesse oblige of earlier days, of working for the improvement of mankind. Each ought to have helped according to his ability and insight. Not all your kindness, Miss Miriam, can make me believe that I have no cause for self-reproach.”

“Is it too late, then?” she asked. “You could still join the ranks of the New Society. You would be shown where you might be most useful. You have heard my brother say that we welcome all forces. And how glad we should be to have you!”

“You really think it is not too late, Miss Miriam?” He was overjoyed. “Could I still become a useful human being?”

“Of course!” she smiled.

Hope stirred within him. He felt suddenly rejuvenated. New perspectives opened before him. But after a moment he recalled his situation, and sighed once more.

“Ah, no, Miss Miriam. It would have been too beautiful, I cannot do as I choose. I cannot remain here. I am not free.” She paled slightly as she repeated in a voice that trembled, “Not free?”

“No, I am tied to someone for life.”

“To whom, if I may ask?” She spoke tonelessly.

“To Mr. Kingscount.” He explained his relation to the old man. He had given his word of honor never to leave him.

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