War Brides: A Play in One Act | Page 6

sudden
tenderness._] But you need not be afraid of me, little Minna. Oh, no.
The trouble with me is I want no more war. Franz is at the war. I'm half
mad with dreaming they have killed him. Any moment I may hear. If
you loved your man as I do mine, little Minna, you'd understand.' Well,
go now, and to-morrow say good-by to your husband--of a day.
[_Minna, with a frightened backward glance, runs out the door.
Arno, who has been talking in low tones to his mother, now rises._]
Arno:
Well, Mother, I haven't much time.
[She clings to his hand.]
Hedwig: [Starting.]
Arno!
Arno:
I am going, too. Get those little things for me, Mother, will you?
Mother: [Goes to door and calls.]
Amelia! Come. Arno has been called. [_Amelia comes in. Each in turn
embraces him, sadly, but bravely. Then the mother and sister gather
together handkerchiefs, linen, writing-pad and pencil, and small
necessaries._]
Arno:

I have only a few minutes.
Hedwig: [Tenderly.]
Arno, my little brother, oh, why--why must you go? You seem so
young.
Arno:
I'm a man, like the others; don't forget that, Hedwig. Be brave--to help
me to be brave.
[They sit on the settle.]
Hedwig: [Sighing.]
Yes, it cannot be helped. Will you see my Franz, Arno? You look so
like him to-day--the day I first saw him in the fields, the day of the
factory picnic. It seems long ago. Tell him how happy he made me, and
how I loved him. He didn't believe in this war no more than I, yet he
had to go. He dreaded lest he meet his friends on the other side. You
remember those two young men from across the border? They worked
all one winter side by side in the factory with Franz. They went home
to join their regiments when the war was let loose on us. He never
could stand it, Franz couldn't, if he were ordered to drive his bayonet
into them. [Gets up, full of emotion that is past expression.] Oh, it is too
monstrous! And for what--for what?
Arno:
It is our duty. We belong to the fatherland. I would willingly give my
life for my country.
Hedwig:
I would willingly give mine for peace.
Arno:

I must go. Good-by, Hedwig.
Hedwig: [Controlling her emotion as she kisses him.]
Good-by, my brave, splendid little brother.
Amelia:
I may come to the front, too.
[They embrace tenderly.]
Mother: [_Strong and quiet, unable to speak, holds his head against her
breast for a moment._]
Fight well, my son.
Arno:
Yes, Mother.
[_He tears himself away. The silent suffering of the mother is pitiful.
Her hands are crossed on her breast, her lips are seen to move in prayer.
It is Hedwig who takes her in her arms and comforts her._]
Hedwig:
And this is war--to tear our hearts out like this! Make mother some tea,
Amelia, can't you?
[Amelia prepares the cup of tea for her mother.]
Mother: [After a few moments composes herself.]
There, I am right now. I must remember--and you must help me, my
daughters--it is for the fatherland.
Hedwig: [On her knees by the fire, shakes her head slowly.]

I wonder, I wonder. O Mother, I'm not patient like you. I couldn't stand
it. To have a darling little baby and see him grow into a man, and then
lose him like this! I'd rather never see the face of my child.
Mother:
We have them for a little while. I am thankful to God for what I have
had.
Hedwig:
Then I must be very wicked.
Mother:
Are you sleeping better now, child?
Hedwig:
No; I am thinking of Franz. He may be lying there alone on the
battle-field, with none to help, and I here longing to put my arms
around him.
[Buries her face on the mother's knees and sobs.]
Mother:
Hush, Hedwig! Be brave! Take care of yourself! We must see that
Franz's child is well born.
Hedwig:
If Franz returns, yes; if not--I--
[Gets up impulsively, as if to run out of the house.]
Amelia:
Don't you want your tea, Hedwig?

[_Hedwig throws open the door, and suddenly confronts a man who
apparently was about to enter the house. He is an official, the military
head of the town, known as Captain Hertz. He is well along in years,
rheumatic, but tremendously self-important._]
Hertz: [Stopping Hedwig.]
Wait one moment. You are the young woman I wish to see. You don't
get away from me like that.
Hedwig: [Drawing herself up, moves back a step or two.]
What is it?
Hertz: [Turning to the old mother.]
Well, Maria, another son must go--Arno. You are an honored woman, a
noble example to the state. [Turns to Amelia.] You have lost a very
good husband, I understand.