_Hoffman:_ [_Shaking her hand._]
Good for you! Congratulations!
_Minna:_
Didn't you hear them cheer? That was for me!
_Hoffman:_
There's patriotism for you, Amelia!
_Amelia:_
When were you married, Minna?
_Minna:_
Just now. There were ten of us. We all answered in chorus. It was
fun--just like a theater. Then the priest made a speech, and the
burgomaster and the captain. The people cheered, and then our husbands
had to go to drill for an hour. Oh, I never was so thrilled! It was
grand! They told us we were the true patriots.
_Hoffman:_
Hurrah! And so you are.
_Minna:_
Our names will go down in history, honored by a whole people, they said.
[_They are all carried away by Minna's enthusiasm; even Amelia warms
up._]
_Amelia:_
But whom did you marry, Minna?
_Minna:_
Heinrich Berg.
_Amelia:_ [_Dubious._]
That loafer!
_Minna:_
He's all right. He's a soldier now. Why, he may be a hero, fighting for
the fatherland; and that makes a lot of difference, Amelia.
_Hoffman:_
What did I tell you?
_Minna:_
I probably wouldn't have picked him out in peace-times, but it is
different now. He only asked me last night. Of course he may get killed.
They said we'd have a widow's pension fund,--us and our
children,--forever and ever, if the boys didn't come back. So, you see,
I won't be out anything. Anyway, it's for the country. We'll be famous,
as war brides. Even the name sounds glorious, doesn't it? War bride!
Isn't that fine?
_Hoffman:_
Here's a little lady who will hear herself called that to-morrow.
[_Takes Amelia's hand._]
_Minna:_ [_Clapping her hands._]
Amelia a war bride, too! Good!
_Hoffman:_
You'll be proud to hear her called that, won't you, Mother? Give us your
blessing.
_Minna:_
I'd rather be a wife or a widow any day than be an old maid; and to be a
war bride--oh!
[_Amelia is blushing and tremulous._]
_Mother:_ [_With a far-away look._]
It is for the fatherland, Amelia. Aye, aye, the masters have said so. It
is the will and judgment of those higher than us. They are wise. Our
country will need children. Aye. Say yes, my daughter. You will not say
no when your country bids you! It is your emperor, your country, who
asks, more than Hans Hoffman.
_Amelia:_ [_Impressed, and questions herself to see if her patriotism
is strong enough to stand the test, while Hoffman, charmed by Amelia's
gentleness, is moved by more personal feeling._]
_Hoffman:_ [_Kissing Amelia on both cheeks._]
There, it's all settled. [_A faint cheer is heard without._] To-morrow
they will cheer you like that; and when I go, I shall have a bride to
wave me good-by instead of--
[_Enter Hedwig._
_She stands in the doorway, looking out on the distant crowds. She is
tall, well built, and carries herself proudly. Strong, intelligent
features, but pale. Her eyes are large with anxiety. She has soft, wavy
black hair. An inward flame seems to be consuming her.
The sounds continue in the distance, cheering, disputing mingled with
far bugle-calls and marching feet._]
_Hedwig:_ [_Contemptuously._]
Ha!
[_The sound startles the others. They turn._]
_All:_
Hedwig!
_Hedwig:_
[_Still in the doorway, looking out._]
War brides!
_Minna:_ [_Pertly._]
You're a war bride yourself, Hedwig.
_Hedwig:_ [_Turns quickly, locates Minna, almost springs at her._]
Don't you dare to call me a war bride! My ring is gold. See. [_Seizes
Minna's hand, and then throws it from her._] Not iron, like yours.
_Minna:_
[_Boldly taunting._]
They even call you the first war bride.
_Hedwig:_ [_Furious, towering over her, her hand on her shoulder._]
Say why, why?
_Minna:_ [_Weakening._]
Because you were the first one to be married when the war broke out.
_Hedwig:_ [_Both hands on her shoulders._]
Because the Government commanded? Because they bribed me with the
promise of a widow's pension? Tell the truth.
_Minna:_ [_Faintly._]
No. Let me go.
_Hedwig:_
So! And how long had Franz and I been engaged? Now say.
_Minna:_ [_Beginning to be frightened._]
Two years.
_Hedwig:_ [_Flinging her off._]
Of course. Everybody knows it. Every village this side the river knew we
were to be married this summer. We've dreamed and worked for nothing
else all these months. It had nothing to do with the war--our love, our
marriage. So, you see, I am no war bride. [_Walks scornfully away._] Not
like you, anyway.
[_They all stare at her._]
_Hoffman:_ [_Stepping forward indignantly._]
I don't know why you should have this contempt for our war brides, and
speak like that.
_Hedwig:_ [_Sits down, half turned away. She shrugs her shoulders, and
her lips curl in a little smile._]
_Hoffman:_
They are coming to the rescue of their country. Saving it; else it will
perish.
_Hedwig:_ [_Bitterly._]
Ha!
_Hoffman:_ [_Waxing warmer._]
They are the saviors of the future.
_Hedwig:_ [_Sadly._]
The future!
_Mother:_ [_Softly, laying her hand on Hedwig's shoulder._]
Hedwig, be more respectful. Herr Hoffman is a lieutenant.
_Hoffman:_
When we are gone,--the best of us,--what will the country do if it has
no children?
_Hedwig:_
Why didn't you think of that before--before you started this wicked war?
_Hoffman:_