Brauer.
[_To his wife_.] Look at her--she is positively livid.
Mrs. Brauer.
What is the matter, my child?
Marie.
Mama, dear, I sat up all night in the train and have had no sleep at all.
Brauer.
And how much longer will it take you----?
Marie.
Only one more trip to town,--but pardon me, papa, the new a.s.sistant pastor is at the gate and----
Brauer.
Who?
Marie.
The new a.s.sistant pastor.
[Gertrude _snickers_.]
Brauer.
[_To_ Gertrude.] What are you laughing at?
Gertrude.
[_Pulling at_ Marie"s _skirt and can hardly keep from bursting out laughing_.] I--I--oh, I am not laughing.
Brauer.
[_To_ Marie.] But what does he want?
Marie.
He says he does not wish to disturb the ladies so early in the morning, and asks you to please come out----
Brauer.
Nonsense! tell him to come in.
Marie.
Yes, papa.
George.
Good-morning, Marie.
Marie.
Good-morning, George. [_Exit_.]
Brauer.
Gertrude, come here. Now remember, my dear, such conduct is not at all becoming to a full-grown young lady.
Gertrude.
My dear, sweet papa, I am so ashamed of myself--I--I"ll never do it again--never. But it"s so funny--ha, ha, ha! he is gone on Marie----
Mrs. Brauer.
My dear, remember you are now a bride and it would be far more proper to say----
George.
Smitten with her?
Mrs. Brauer.
[_Somewhat reproachfully_.] George!!!
Brauer.
Sh, sh--silence!
[_During following scene_, Marie _noiselessly clears off the table_.]
Pastor.
[_Enters_.] I should not have dared to annoy the ladies at this early hour, if----
Brauer.
[_Laughingly_.] Eight o"clock is not so very early in the country, my dear Pastor; you will soon learn that here.
Mrs. Brauer.
And how is the good old pastor?