Marie.
No; but I did! And do I not earn it, as well as the little love I
obtain in this house? I am "The Calamity Child"--and I do not ask for
charity.
George.
You seem to be possessed of the very devil to-day!
Marie.
Perhaps!
George.
I implore you, do not insist. I fear the consequence. You will see! for
whatever is done against nature, punishes itself.
Marie.
And is it against nature when a child cries out for its own mother?
George.
She is not your mother; your mother is in this house.
Marie.
Gertrude's mother is in this house, not mine. A mother must feel for
her child, she must see----
George.
Sh--sh!
[_Enter_ Gertrude.]
Gertrude.
You two are continually talking in whispers; can't you tell _me_? It
makes me so unhappy!
Marie.
[_Caressing her_.] But darling, it is all done for your sake!
[_During this_, George _looks at her disapprovingly, while_ Marie
_casts a timid glance at him_.]
Brauer.
[_Enters_.] At last you have come. Where in thunder have you been all
day? It almost seemed to me as if you were trying to avoid me!
George.