Roses: Four One-Act Plays Part 36

v. Wolters.

What others?

Daisy.

Those over there in the stove.

The Lady (_examining the letters_).

Look at this! Unsealed! Unwrapped!

Daisy (_smiling_).

He knew that I wouldn't read them.

The Lady.

I suppose from now on I shall be at _your_ mercy!

Daisy.

I don't know you, my lady. And even if I did, you need have no fear.

The Lady (_to_ v. Wolters).

Isn't she kind!

Daisy (_always respectfully_).

But I should like to ask you a favour, my lady.

The Lady.

By all means. What could I deny you, my dear?

Daisy.

(_Goes into the room behind and returns with the flowers that_ The Lady _had brought._) Oh please, please take these roses--away--with you.

The Lady.

What does this mean?

Daisy (_imploringly_).

Oh, please take them!

The Lady.

What right have you to make such a shameless request of me?

Daisy.

I heard--forgive me, I didn't want to--I heard the way you spoke about him before. And it seems to me that your flowers no longer belong upon his coffin.

The Lady.

What do you say to that, Herr von Wolters? This person acts as if she were the mistress of the house!

Daisy (_proudly_).

I am.

The Lady.

(_Stares at her through her lorgnette and smiles._) Oh, really!

Daisy (_her bearing pure and proud_).

The night before he died I became--his wife. (_A long pause._)

The Lady.

I hope you'll come and take tea with me in the near future, Herr von Wolters.

v. Wolters.

Pray, excuse me, but official duties will make it impossible for me to----

The Lady.

(_Taken aback, but quickly recovering herself._) Thank you just the same. (_A loud ring._)

Daisy (_starts and looks at the clock_).

There are the troops already.--Would you be so kind, Herr von Wolters--? Please let no one come in here. (v. Wolters _bows and hurries out at the right._) May I take you out the back way, my lady?

No one will see you--or at least, only my mother. (_As the heavy steps of the soldiers are heard, to herself, in suppressed agony._) And meanwhile--they will--take the coffin--away! (_Regaining possession of herself._) But wouldn't it be better to drop your veil? (The Lady _does so._) And your roses--do take them! (The Lady _s.n.a.t.c.hes the roses from her hand._) This way, please. (_She opens the door at the left and goes out slowly behind_ The Lady, _her eyes turned longingly toward the room behind._)

Curtain.

IV

THE FAR-AWAY PRINCESS