If they only had----!
And see the pale moon--how it throws its silvery rays over the garden--and yonder is your manzanillo-tree.
Yes, yes, do you see it?
And its white, trembling leaves; see, see, each one seems alive--though not a breath of air is stirring. Come, let us go to it.
[Cowering.] No, no, I think it is time--we must----
Sh!--Sh!----
What is it?
There--something moved. It must be Gertrude. [Goes to door C. and calls.] "Gertrude!!!"
[Short pause.]
You must have been mistaken!
No, no; I saw a shadow. "Gertrude!" Remain here, I'll go see! [Exit into garden.]
Oh, I'm so afraid, George--so afraid----!
[Pause.]
[Georgereturns, pale and agitated, trying to control himself.]
Who was it? Who was it?
Oh, no one--no one----
Yes, there was--I can see it in your face!! Was it Gertrude?
No.
Then it was papa?
No, no.
George, you are as pale as death; What has happened? Tell me!
Nothing, nothing! There was a stranger in the garden--I sent him away.
What stranger?
[Pained.] Do not ask me!
[Dully.] Oh, I know--I know! It was--my mother----
Well, since you have said it----
What did she want? But why do I ask? [Covers her face with her hands.] Oh, my God--my God!!!!
Marie!
[Suddenly.] Close the blinds--I have a fear--tight--so!! Now put up the bars--so--and here, so--so----
[Embracing her.]Marie! my darling!!!!
Hold me tight!!!
Like this?
Yes, like that! [She moves close to him.] Here I want to sit still----
[Looks at watch.] If we only have time to catch that train---- [The whistle of a locomotive is heard in the distance. He starts.] Did you hear that?
[Smilingly.] Yes!
What was it?
It was the train!
Can you hear it this far?
At night you can!
[Sinks into chair L. of table, back to audience.]
My God! what shall we do now?
[Softly.] I will tell you what we will do! We will sit still here--quietly--till the next train--till four o'clock!!!!
Throws herself upon George, passionately kissing him.]
Marie! My love, my all! [Kisses her.]
Kiss me again! Now, then, do you understand me? I am my own master, and care not for myself---- To-night is St. John's night!!!!!!!
And the fires are burning low----
No, no; let them burn----
Yes, yes; let them burn--they shall burn!!!!!
[Mariedisengages herself.]
Kiss me no more--let me kiss you--I will take all upon myself--I will take all the consequences--my mother is a thief, and so am I! George--
[Throws herself into his arms with complete abandon.]
[Lights out. Curtain.]
Same setting. Morning. Centre table is decorated with flowers.Brauer,GeorgeandGertrudeare on veranda at rise of curtain. In open door, C.,Mrs. Brauer.All listening to quartet, singing, "This is the day of our Lord" by Kreutzer. As curtain rises,Katieenters, L., listens also, and dries her eyes. At the end of the serenade,Brauerstarts to make an address, and withGeorgeandGertrudeleaves the veranda.
Mrs. Brauer, I would like to speak to you a moment.
[Wiping her eyes.] What is it, Katie?
[Sniveling.] Oh, I'm so happy----
[Church bells are heard softly in the distance.]
There go the church bells. Have you put plenty of wine and luncheon in the arbor?
Yes, ma'am! Miss Marie and I have prepared a lot!
What did you want to see me about?
I wanted to ask you about the roast; shall we put it in the oven now, and just warm it up for dinner? Miss Marie thinks----
Never mind! I'll be down in the kitchen in a moment!
And another thing, Mrs. Brauer; won't you please try and get Miss Marie to take a little rest? She has been hard at work since two o'clock this morning, and all day yesterday she was in the city. She can't stand it.
Oh, on a day like this, we must all put our shoulders to the wheel.
Ah, Mrs. Brauer, you and I are old, and not much good for anything but work; but we must spare our young people. Why, at times she almost gives out.
Well, I will come and see for myself.
Thank you!!! Oh, such a day!!! I am so happy---- [Exit both L.]
[Enters withGeorgeandGertrude.] Thank goodness, that's over. Let me see: first it was the old soldiers, then the Turners, and now the Singing Society---- But do you know, I am so sick of all this wine--give me a brandy.
[Gets drink from sideboard.] Yes, papa!
[ToGeorge.] And what's the matter with you?
[With a sigh.] Nothing!
[Imitating him.] Nothing!!! I can't quite make you out---- Here, have a drink?
No, thank you!
Well, then, don't! Your health, my pet!
Drink hearty, papa!
[Rises.] The carriage will arrive here sharply at ten! Understand?
Yes!
And your friend from the city--we will find him at the station?
Yes; he arrives quarter to ten.
For we must have two witnesses.--Do you know what I would like? [Tapping him on breast.] I would like to be able to look in there.
Oh, let him alone, papa! He is now my George. If I am satisfied with him----
You are right! He who gets my child can laugh--but he also shall laugh. Understand?[Exit R.]
Never mind him, George dear. You need not laugh if you don't want to. Not on my account. [Bells.] Do you hear, George? The church bells, ringing softly, singing, like human voices!!!! That is for you and me!!
Why for us?
It is the old pastor's desire; half an hour this morning, and then again this afternoon, when we exchange rings. Do you know, George, mama says a bride's dream the night before her wedding is surely an omen. Do you believe that?
[Preoccupied.] Yes.
I dreamed last night of a large, yellow wheat-field, in which a poor little rabbit had hidden itself; and high above, in the air, I saw a large hawk. Then it appeared to me that I was the little rabbit, and in fear and dread I called out "George! George!" when suddenly it shot down upon me!--just think----
And then?
Then I awoke. The cold perspiration stood thickly upon my brow---- Oh, George dear, you will protect me? You won't let any one hurt me, will you? For I am only a poor little rabbit, after all----
[Staring before him.] My God!
George, I wanted to ask you something.
Well?
You don't love some one else, do you?
[Disturbed.] But, my child----
Well, you know that if a bride cannot laugh on her wedding day, she loves another----
Why, nonsense----
[Unshaken.] Oh, yes, George; I read it myself. And even if you do, George, I feel so--my love for you is so great, it could move mountains. I love you so dearly---- She will surely learn to forget you, I will love you so much.
But, my pet----
No, no, George. You see, I don't blame you so much. How could I? For what am I, compared to other women?--George, does she love you so very much?
Who?
Oh, you know. But don't worry, George dear; she will forget you in time! Don't you remember Robert, our neighbor's son? He threatened to kill himself if I didn't marry him, and he has already forgotten me! And to-day, when we stand at the altar, at the Doxology and the exchange of rings, I will nudge you softly, and then we will both pray to our good Father in heaven to make it easy for her; for no one shall be unhappy on this day! Why, George, you are crying!!!!
Crying--I?
Why, yes! Here are two large tears running down your cheek. [Wipes his eyes with her handkerchief.] So there----
Tell me, my pet; and if we should be parted, after all?
How could that be possible?
If I should die--or----
[Embracing him.] No, no! Don't say that! Don't say that!!!
[Marieappears in door, seeing embrace.]
[Startled.] Some one is here----
It is only Marie.
[Pointedly.] You seem to be particularly affectionate to-day.
[Miffed.] We always love each other. Oh, perhaps that doesn't please you----
It is nothing to me!
[Half Jesting.] Besides, what do you want here? Isn't there anything to do in the kitchen?
[Stung, but controlling herself.] Mama has sent me----
Yes, yes, dear; you are just in time to dress my hair. Have you hairpins?
[Shaking her head.] I will get some. [Reels.]
[Affectionately.] What's the matter, dear? Oh, you must be tired!
I am not tired.
Yes, yes, you are. Now you sit down here. I will fetch them myself. [Quick exit.]
[Full of fear.] Gertrude!!!
I must speak with you!
Speak; I am listening.
Why this tone? Does it perhaps mean that between us all is over?
If it is or is not, it matters little.
Am I, then, to understand----
My God! Have you not Gertrude? But now I saw her in your arms! What do you want with me?
I must speak with you----
Not now----
[Re-enters.] Here are the hairpins. [Marietakes them.] I have also brought my dressing-sacque and combs. Now we will excuse you for a little while, George dear. You can give your judgment later.
[With a glance atMarie.] May I not remain?
No, no. You would criticise and find fault, and embarrass Marie, and me, too. Now be good, George, and go into the garden. [Georgeexits.]
[Holding sacque.] Will you put this on?
No, I will put it around me.
As you please. How do you want your hair dressed, high or low?
But Marie, we had decided upon that! Have you forgotten?
Oh, pardon me--I--of course we had!
Then give me a kiss!
[Mariesuddenly takes her head in both hands and stares at her.]
[Frightened.] Why do you look at me so strangely?
[Embraces her fiercely] My darling!!!!
Oh, you hurt me!
Perhaps you hurt me, too----
I? How so?
[Has begun to comb.] How can you ask? You are about to be married--and--and--I--I am jealous of you!
Just wait, Marie, dear. [Sings.]
"In a year, in a year, when the nightingale comes----"
[Intensely.] When the nightingale comes?
You will be Pastor's wife. [Laughs.]
[Marie,with one braid in her hand, bending back, laughing loudly and forced.]
[In pain.] Oh, you are pulling my hair----
Any one as happy as you should be able to bear a little pain. There! I will braid it into your hair--for you are happy, are you not? Very happy?
Yes! I am--that is--I would like to be--but George--he is so sad.
George?
Yes!
[Lurkingly.] Perhaps you were right! Perhaps hedoeslove another!
[Softly groaning.] Oh, why did you say that?
Because---- No, no--how could he? That was wicked in me, wasn't it? How could he think of another, when he looks at you?
No, no, Marie, you are right! I told him so myself!
[Slowly and marked.] And what did he say?
He?--He said nothing! And then--he cried----
[Triumphantly.] He cried? George cried? Have you ever seen him do that before?
No, never!
[To herself.] He cried----
And then he said: "What if we should be parted, after all?"
If who should be parted--you and he?
Yes--if he should die----
If he--oh, that is what he meant! Oh, well, he just wanted to say something. [With forced lightness.]
Of course he did. But what about the other woman? Oh, I didn't let him see that I cared--and for the time I didn't care, really; but now, when I think of it! My God!--if it were really so! If I only knew!!!!!!!
Of course, he would not tell you!
Do you think he would tell any one else?
Yes, sooner than tell you.
Yes! I suppose so!
Shall I ask him?
Oh, if you would do that for me----
There now, it is done. Here is the comb and the rest of the hairpins. Now go!
And do you really think he would tell you?
I am sure he will.
Oh, Marie, how grateful I shall be to you----
[Pushes her out of the door.] Go now, go! [Stretches herself.] Ah--ah--ah---- [Calls softly.] George! [There is a knock at the door.] Come in!
[Enters.] Pardon me, Miss Marie; is Mr. Brauer in?
No, Mr. Paul!
The assistant pastor would like to speak to him--but here he is, himself.
[Enters.] Good-morning, Miss Marie!
[Offers her hand hesitatingly.] Good-morning!
I will wait here, Mr. Paul!
Then, Miss Marie, will you please give me the key to the cellar? I want to put the beer on the ice.
[Gets key from keyboard.] Here it is.
Thank you!
[Exit.]
[Pause.]