War Brides: A Play in One Act | Page 8

they never asked her if she wanted this thing to be! Oh, no! I shall never take it like that--never! But you are right, Amelia. I have something to do first.
[Lets Amelia put the pistol away in the cupboard.] I must send a message to the emperor. [_The others are more alarmed for her in this mood than in her grief._]
You said you were going to the front to be a nurse, Amelia. Can you take this message for me? I might take it myself, perhaps.
Amelia: [Hesitating, not knowing what to say or do.]
Let me give you some tea, Hedwig.
[_Voices are heard outside, and the sounds of sorrow. Some one near the house is weeping. A wild look and a fierce resolve light Hedwig's face._]
Hedwig: [Rushing from the house.]
They have taken my Franz!
Mother:
Get her back! I feared it. Grief has made her mad.
[_Amelia runs out. A clamor of voices outside. Hedwig can be heard indistinctly speaking to the women. Finally her voice alone is heard, and in a moment she appears, backing into the doorway, still talking to the women._]
Hedwig: [A tragic light in her face, and hand uplifted.]
I shall send a message to the emperor. If ten thousand women send one like it, there will be peace and no more war. Then they will hear our tears.
A Voice:
What is the message? Tell us!
Hedwig:
Soon you will know. [Loudly.] But I tell you now, _don't bear any more children_ until they promise you there will be no more war.
Hertz: [Suddenly appearing. Amelia follows.]
I heard you. I declare you under arrest. Come with me. You will be shot for treason.
Mother: [Fearfully, drawing him aside.]
Don't say that, sir. Wait. Oh, no, you can't do that!
[_She gets out her work-basket, and shows him the baby things she has been knitting, and glances significantly at Hedwig. A horrid smile comes into the man's face. Hedwig, snatches the things and crushes them to her breast as if sacrilege had been committed._]
Hertz:
Is this true? You expect--
Hedwig: [Proudly, scornfully.]
You will not shoot me if I give you a soldier for your empire and your armies and your guns, will you, Herr Captain?
Hertz:
Why--eh, no. Every child counts these times. But we will put you under lock and key. You are a firebrand. I warned you. Come along.
Hedwig:
You want my child, but still you will not promise me what I asked you. Well, we shall see.
Hertz:
Come along.
Hedwig:
Give me just a moment. I want to send a message to the emperor. Will you take it for me, Herr Captain?
Mother: [Signing.]
Humor her.
Hertz:
Well, well, hurry up!
[Hedwig sits at table and writes a brief note.]
Mother: [Whispering.]
She has lost Franz. She is crazed.
Hedwig: [Rising.]
There. See that it is placed in the hands of the emperor. [_Gives him the note._] Good-by, Amelia! Never be a war bride, Amelia.
[Kisses her three times,] Good-by, Mother.
[Embraces her tenderly.] Thank you for these.
[_She gathers the baby things in her hands, crosses the room, pressing a little sock to her lips. As she passes the cupboard she deftly seizes the pistol, and moves into the bedroom. On the threshold she looks over her shoulder._]
Hedwig: [Firmly.]
You may read the message out loud.
[_She disappears into the room, still pressing the little sock to her lips._]
Hertz: [Reading the note.]
"A Message to the Emperor: I refuse to bear my child until you promise there shall be no more war."
[_A shot is fired in the bedroom. They rush into the room. The Mother stands trembling by the table._]
Hertz: [_Awed, coming out of the room with the baby things, which he places on the table._]
Dead! Tcha! tcha! she was mad. I will hush it up, Maria.
[_He tears up Hedwig's message to the emperor, and goes out of the house, shaking his head. Amelia is kneeling in the doorway of the bedroom, bending over something, and softly crying. The Mother slowly gathers up the pieces of Hedwig's message and the baby garments, now dashed with blood, and, sitting on the bench, holds them tight against her breast, staring straight in front of her, her lips moving inaudibly. She closes her eyes and rocks to and fro, still muttering and praying._]

CURTAIN

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