_Mother:_ [_Nods._]
For their child. In six months now. My first grandchild, Amelia. Franz's
boy, perhaps. I shall hear a little one's voice in this house again.
_Amelia:_ [_Uncertainly, as she looks at the little things._]
Still--I want to go.
_Mother_: [_Firmly._]
We must take care of Hedwig, Amelia. She is to be a mother. That is our
first duty. It is our only hope of an heir if you won't marry soon--and
if--if the boys don't come back.
_Amelia:_
Arno is left.
_Mother:_
Ah, but they'll be calling him next. It is his birthday to-day, too,
poor lad. He's on the jump to be off. I see him gone, too. God knows I
may never see one of them again. I sit here in the long evenings and
think how death may take my boys,--even this minute they may be
breathing their last,--and then I knit this baby sock and think of the
precious little life that's coming. It's my one comfort, Amelia. Nothing
must happen now.
_Amelia:_ [_With a touch of impatience._]
What's the matter with Hedwig?
_Mother:_
I don't know what it is. She acts as if she didn't want to bring her
child into the world. She talks wild. I tell you I must have that child,
Amelia! I cannot live else. Hedwig frightens me. The other night I found
her sitting on the edge of her bed staring,--when she should have been
asleep,--as if she saw visions, and whispering, "I will send a message
to the emperor." What message? I had to shake her out of it. She refuses
to make a thing for her baby. Says, "Wait till I see what they do to
Franz." It's unnatural.
_Amelia:_
I can't understand her. I never could. I always thought it was because
she was a factory-town girl.
_Mother:_
If anything should happen to Franz in the state she's in now, Hedwig
might go out of her mind entirely. So you had best stay by, Amelia. We
must keep a close eye on her.
[_There is a knock at the door._]
Who's that?
_Amelia:_ [_Looks out of the windows, and then whispers._]
It's Hans Hoffman.
[_The knock is repeated._]
_Mother:_
Open, girl! Don't stand there!
[_Enter Hoffman, gay, familiar, inclined to stoutness, but
good-looking. Accustomed to having the women bow down to him._]
_Hoffman:_
[_To Amelia._] Ah, ha! You gave me the slip yesterday!
_Amelia:_
My mother.
_Hoffman:_ [_Nodding._]