Amelia:

Oh, yes!

Hoffman:

Well, then, we can get married and get acquainted afterward.

Amelia: [Faintly.]

I wanted to be a nurse.

Hoffman:

Nonsense!  Pretty girls like you should marry.  The priests and the generals have commanded it.  It’s for the fatherland.  Ought she not to wed me, Mother?

Mother: [Nodding impersonally.]

Aye, it is for the fatherland they ask it.

Hoffman:

Of course.  It is your patriotic duty, Amelia.  You’re funny.  All the young women are tickled at the chance.  But you are the one I have picked out, and I am going to have you.  Now, there’s a good girl—­promise!

[A hubbub of voices and a cheer are heard outside side.  Enter Minna, flushed, pretty, light headed.]

Amelia:

Minna!

Minna: [Holding out her hand.]

Amelia, see!  My wedding-ring!

Amelia:

Iron!

Minna: [Triumphantly.]

Yes; a war bride!

Amelia:

You?

Minna:

That’s what I am. [Whirling gaily about.]

Hoffman: [Shaking her hand.]

Good for you!  Congratulations!

Minna:

Didn’t you hear them cheer?  That was for me!

Hoffman:

There’s patriotism for you, Amelia!

Amelia:

When were you married, Minna?

Minna:

Just now.  There were ten of us.  We all answered in chorus.  It was fun—­just like a theater.  Then the priest made a speech, and the burgomaster and the captain.  The people cheered, and then our husbands had to go to drill for an hour.  Oh, I never was so thrilled!  It was grand!  They told us we were the true patriots.

Hoffman:

Hurrah!  And so you are.

Minna:

Our names will go down in history, honored by a whole people, they said.

[They are all carried away by Minna’s enthusiasm; even Amelia warms up.]

Amelia:

But whom did you marry, Minna?

Minna:

Heinrich Berg.

Amelia: [Dubious.]

That loafer!

Minna:

He’s all right.  He’s a soldier now.  Why, he may be a hero, fighting for the fatherland; and that makes a lot of difference, Amelia.

Hoffman:

What did I tell you?

Minna:

I probably wouldn’t have picked him out in peace-times, but it is different now.  He only asked me last night.  Of course he may get killed.  They said we’d have a widow’s pension fund,—­us and our children,—­forever and ever, if the boys didn’t come back.  So, you see, I won’t be out anything.  Anyway, it’s for the country.  We’ll be famous, as war brides.  Even the name sounds glorious, doesn’t it?  War bride!  Isn’t that fine?