Now, little one----
[Gertrude _exits with a sigh_.]
Marie.
[_Quickly and suppressed_.] Did you find her? [George _nods_.] Will she come? Why don"t you answer?
George.
Marie, when you exacted this promise from me this morning, I did not realize what it meant. I had never seen your--I don"t want to speak that word--I had never seen this person until to-day. She must not come to this house, secretly--she must not!!!
Marie.
George!!!
George.
Take uncle into your confidence, at least.
Marie.
No, no one--no one but you!!
George.
What do you want with her? You know you belong to this house. Here you have everything your heart desires. Here you have love--here you have----
Marie.
[_Interrupts him_.] Bread! Why don"t you say it? Yes, here I have bread!
George.
I did not mean to say that.
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.
But, uncle----
Brauer.
Well, girls, have you prepared the pastor"s eggnog?
Marie.
Oh, I had entirely forgotten it.
Brauer.
Then see to it at once. And don"t forget the sugar, you know.