Mother:

What are you doing, girl? [Amelia starts and puts the bag in the cupboard.] Who’s going away?  They haven’t sent for Arno?

Amelia:

No.

Mother: [Sighs, and drops her load on the hearth.]

Is the hay all in?

Amelia:

Yes.  I put in the last load.  All the big work on our place is done, and so—­[Looks at her mother and hesitates.  Her mother begins to chop the wood into kindling.] I’ll do that, Mother.

Mother:

Let be, girl.  It keeps me from worrying.  Get a bite to eat.  What were you doing with that bag?  Who were you packing it for?

Amelia: [With downcast eyes.]

Myself.

Mother: [Anxious.]

What for?

Amelia:

Sit down, Mother, and be still while I tell you—­

[Pushes her mother into a chair.]

Mother: [Starts.]

Is there any news?  Quick!  Tell me!

Amelia:

Not since yesterday.  Only they say Franz is at the front.  We don’t know where Emil and Otto are, and there’s been a battle; but—­

Mother: [Murmurs, with closed eyes.]

My boys! my boys!

Amelia:

Don’t, Mother!  They may come back. [A cheer is heard.]

Mother: [Starting.]

What’s that?

Amelia: [Running to the door and looking out.]

They are cheering the war brides, that’s all.

Mother:

Aye.  There’s been another wedding ceremony.

Amelia:

Yes.

Mother:

How many war brides to-day?

Amelia:

Ten, they said.

Mother: [Nodding.]

Aye, that is good.  Has any one asked you, Amelia? [Amelia looks embarrassed.] Some one should ask you.  You are a good-looking girl.

Amelia: [In a low voice.]

Hans Hoffman asked me last night.

Mother:

The young and handsome lieutenant?  You are lucky.  You said yes?

Amelia: [Shakes her head.]

No.

Mother:

Ah, well.

Amelia:

I hardly know him.  I’ve only spoken to him once before.  O Mother—­that isn’t what I want to do.

Mother:

What did you tell him?

Amelia: [Timidly.]

That I was going away to join the Red Cross.

Mother:

Amelia!

Amelia:

He didn’t believe me.  He kissed me—­and I ran away.

Mother:

The Red Cross!

Amelia: [Eagerly.]

Yes; that is what I was going to tell you just now.  That is why I was packing the bag. [Gets it.] I—­I want to go.  I want to go to-night.  I can’t stand this waiting.