You—­you—­

Hedwig:

Oh, don’t take it badly, sir.  You are honored.  Is the name of woman always to be despised?  Look out in those fields.  Who cleared them, and plucked the vineyards clean?  You think we are left at home because we are weak.  Ah, no; we are strong.  That is why.  Strong to keep the world going, to keep sacred the greatest things in life—­love and home and work.  To remind men of—­peace. [With a quick change.] If only you really were a woman, Herr Captain, that you might breed soldiers for the empire, your glory would be complete.

[The old captain is about to make an angry reply when there is a commotion outside.  The words “News from the front” are distinguished, growing more distinct.  The captain rushes out.  The women are paralyzed with apprehension for a moment.]

Mother:

Amelia, go and see.  Hedwig, come here.

[Hedwig crouches on the floor close to the mother, her eyes wide with dread.  In a few moments Amelia returns, dragging her feet, woe in her face, and unable to deal the blow which must fall on the two women, who stare at her with blanched faces.]

Amelia: [Falling at her mother’s knee.]

Mother!

Mother: [Scarcely breathing.]

Which one?

Amelia:

All of them.

Mother: [Dazed.]

All?  All my boys?

Amelia:

Emil, Otto—­be thankful Arno is left.

[The Mother drops her head back against the chair and silently prays.  Hedwig creeps nearer Amelia and holds her face between her hands, looking into her eyes.]

Hedwig: [Whispering.]

Franz?

Amelia:

Franz, too.

[Illustration:  HEDWIG:  Franz?

AMELIA:  Franz, too.]

[Hedwig lies prostrate on the floor.  Their grief is very silent; terrible because it is so dumb and stoical.  The Mother is the first to rouse herself.  She bends over Hedwig.]

Mother:

Hedwig. [Hedwig sobs convulsively.] Don’t, child.  Be careful for the little one’s sake. [Hedwig sits up.] For your child be quiet, be brave.

Hedwig:

I loved him so, Mother!

Mother:

Yes, he was my boy—­my first-born.

Hedwig:

Your first-born, and this is the end.

[She rises up in unutterable wrath and despair.]

O God!

Mother: [Anxious for her.]

Promise me you will be careful, Hedwig.  For the sake of your child, your first-born, that is to be—­

Hedwig:

My child?  For this end?  For the empire—­the war that is to be?  No!

Mother: [Half to herself.]

He may look like Franz.