Magda--oh, Magda!
MAGDA.
[_Taking her mantle_.] Be patient, darling. We"ll have a talk soon all to our two selves. And you"ll all come to breakfast with me, won"t you?
We can have a good chat and love each other!--so much!
MRS. SCHWARTZE.
We--breakfast with you?
MAGDA.
I want to have you all under my roof.
SCHWARTZE.
The roof of a hotel?
MAGDA.
Yes, papa dear, I have no other home.
SCHWARTZE.
And this?
MARIE.
Don"t you see how you"ve hurt him?
_Enter the_ Pastor. _He stops, and seems to control strong emotion_.
Magda _examines him with her lorgnette_.
MAGDA.
He too! Let me see.
MRS. SCHWARTZE.
Just think. She is going away again!
HEFFTERDINGT.
I don"t know whether I am known to the lady.
MAGDA.
[_Mockingly_.] You"re too modest, Pastor. And now since I have seen you all--[_Puts on her mantle_.]
SCHWARTZE.
[_Quickly, aside_.] You must keep her.
HEFFTERDINGT.
I? If you are powerless, how can I--
SCHWARTZE.
Try!
HEFFTERDINGT.
[_Constraining himself, with embarra.s.sment_.] Pardon me, madam, it seems very officious of me--if I--will you give me a few moments"
interview?
MAGDA.
What have we two to say to each other, my dear pastor?
MRS. SCHWARTZE.
Oh, do, please! He knows best about everything.
MAGDA.
[_Ironically_.] Indeed!
MARIE.
I may never ask you for anything again, but do this one thing for my sake!
MAGDA.
[_Patting her and looking from one to the other_.] Well, the child asks so prettily. Pastor, I am at your service. [Marie _thanks her silently_.]
FRANZISKA.
[_Aside to_ Mrs. Schwartze.] Now he"ll give her a lecture. Come.
SCHWARTZE.
You were once the cause of my sending her from my home. To-day you must see to it that she remains. [Heffterdingt _expresses doubt_.]
SCHWARTZE.
Marie!
MARIE.