George.
Yes, yes; let them burn--they shall burn!!!!!
[Marie _disengages herself_.]
Marie.
Kiss me no more--let me kiss you--I will take all upon myself--I will take all the consequences--_my mother is a thief, and so am I!
George_--
[_Throws herself into his arms with complete abandon_.]
[_Lights out. Curtain_.]
END OF THE THIRD ACT.
ACT FOUR
_Same setting. Morning. Centre table is decorated with flowers_.
Brauer, George _and_ Gertrude _are on veranda at rise of curtain. In open door, C._, Mrs. Brauer. _All listening to quartet, singing, "This is the day of our Lord" by Kreutzer. As curtain rises_, Katie _enters, L., listens also, and dries her eyes. At the end of the serenade_, Brauer _starts to make an address, and with_ George _and_ Gertrude _leaves the veranda_.
Katie.
Mrs. Brauer, I would like to speak to you a moment.
Mrs. Brauer.
[_Wiping her eyes_.] What is it, Katie?
Katie.
[_Sniveling_.] Oh, I"m so happy----
[_Church bells are heard softly in the distance_.]
Mrs. Brauer.
There go the church bells. Have you put plenty of wine and luncheon in the arbor?
Katie.
Yes, ma"am! Miss Marie and I have prepared a lot!
Mrs. Brauer.
What did you want to see me about?
Katie.
I wanted to ask you about the roast; shall we put it in the oven now, and just warm it up for dinner? Miss Marie thinks----
Mrs. Brauer.
Never mind! I"ll be down in the kitchen in a moment!
Katie.
And another thing, Mrs. Brauer; won"t you please try and get Miss Marie to take a little rest? She has been hard at work since two o"clock this morning, and all day yesterday she was in the city. She can"t stand it.
Mrs. Brauer.
Oh, on a day like this, we must all put our shoulders to the wheel.
Katie.
Ah, Mrs. Brauer, you and I are old, and not much good for anything but work; but we must spare our young people. Why, at times she almost gives out.
Mrs. Brauer.
Well, I will come and see for myself.
Katie.
Thank you!!! Oh, such a day!!! I am so happy---- [_Exit both L_.]
Brauer.
[_Enters with_ George _and_ Gertrude.] Thank goodness, that"s over. Let me see: first it was the old soldiers, then the Turners, and now the Singing Society---- But do you know, I am so sick of all this wine--give me a brandy.
Gertrude.
[_Gets drink from sideboard_.] Yes, papa!
Brauer.
[_To_ George.] And what"s the matter with you?
George.
[_With a sigh_.] Nothing!
Brauer.