And how nearly finished is the lover"s nest, eh?
Gertrude.
Only one more trip to the city, I believe she said.
Brauer.
Well, and do you like the arrangement?
Gertrude.
I don"t know, papa dear. I am kept entirely in the dark. It is to be a surprise to me. Oh, I will like it very much indeed, I think.
Brauer.
And are you happy, my pet?
Gertrude.
Oh, papa, dear, I sometimes feel as if I didn"t deserve all this happiness.
Brauer.
Well, my dear, a housewife who calls these soft-boiled eggs, certainly does not deserve such happiness.
Gertrude.
[_Embarra.s.sed_.] I only boiled them about three-quarters of an hour----
Brauer.
Ha, ha, ha, ha!
Gertrude.
Oh, I beg your pardon, papa, I will----
Brauer.
There, there, I was only joking; never mind it. And Marie, I suppose, is taking her rest now?
Gertrude.
If she only would do so. Papa, you must compel her to take a rest. No one can endure such a strain. One day she is looking after this house, and the next day she is in the city, furnishing our new home; and the nights she pa.s.ses on the train. I am sure she will break down.
Brauer.
Well, well, I will look after that.
Mrs. Brauer.
[_Enters from L_.] Good-morning!
Brauer.
Morning! Well?
Gertrude.
[_Throws her arms around her mother_.] Good-morning, mama dear!
Mrs. Brauer.
[_Caressing her_.] My sweet! my pet! only four more good-mornings, and then----
Gertrude.
You must come to visit me soon, mama!
Mrs. Brauer.
[_Crying_.] Visit? ah, yes!
Brauer.
No tears now, no tears, I beg of you! Tears on an empty stomach--b-r-r-r-r-r, that"s poison.
Mrs. Brauer.
My darling, who dressed your hair last night?
Gertrude.
The housekeeper.
Mrs. Brauer.
There! I knew Marie could not have done that. But do you know--Marie--a few moments ago I opened her door softly, to see how she was resting, and found her still fully dressed, just as she came from the train, seated at the open window, a book in her lap, and staring out into s.p.a.ce.
Brauer.
Well, well, well! I thought her pa.s.sion for novels had pa.s.sed away long ago.
Mrs. Brauer.
I"ve been thinking--we must watch her more closely.
Brauer.