Fires of St. John Part 43

George.

Yes, yes; let them burn--they shall burn!!!!!

[Marie _disengages herself_.]

Marie.

Kiss me no more--let me kiss you--I will take all upon myself--I will take all the consequences--_my mother is a thief, and so am I!

George_--

[_Throws herself into his arms with complete abandon_.]

[_Lights out. Curtain_.]

END OF THE THIRD ACT.

ACT FOUR

_Same setting. Morning. Centre table is decorated with flowers_.

Brauer, George _and_ Gertrude _are on veranda at rise of curtain. In open door, C._, Mrs. Brauer. _All listening to quartet, singing, "This is the day of our Lord" by Kreutzer. As curtain rises_, Katie _enters, L., listens also, and dries her eyes. At the end of the serenade_, Brauer _starts to make an address, and with_ George _and_ Gertrude _leaves the veranda_.

Katie.

Mrs. Brauer, I would like to speak to you a moment.

Mrs. Brauer.

[_Wiping her eyes_.] What is it, Katie?

Katie.

[_Sniveling_.] Oh, I'm so happy----

[_Church bells are heard softly in the distance_.]

Mrs. Brauer.

There go the church bells. Have you put plenty of wine and luncheon in the arbor?

Katie.

Yes, ma'am! Miss Marie and I have prepared a lot!

Mrs. Brauer.

What did you want to see me about?

Katie.

I wanted to ask you about the roast; shall we put it in the oven now, and just warm it up for dinner? Miss Marie thinks----

Mrs. Brauer.

Never mind! I'll be down in the kitchen in a moment!

Katie.

And another thing, Mrs. Brauer; won't you please try and get Miss Marie to take a little rest? She has been hard at work since two o'clock this morning, and all day yesterday she was in the city. She can't stand it.

Mrs. Brauer.

Oh, on a day like this, we must all put our shoulders to the wheel.

Katie.

Ah, Mrs. Brauer, you and I are old, and not much good for anything but work; but we must spare our young people. Why, at times she almost gives out.

Mrs. Brauer.

Well, I will come and see for myself.

Katie.

Thank you!!! Oh, such a day!!! I am so happy---- [_Exit both L_.]

Brauer.

[_Enters with_ George _and_ Gertrude.] Thank goodness, that's over. Let me see: first it was the old soldiers, then the Turners, and now the Singing Society---- But do you know, I am so sick of all this wine--give me a brandy.

Gertrude.

[_Gets drink from sideboard_.] Yes, papa!

Brauer.

[_To_ George.] And what's the matter with you?

George.

[_With a sigh_.] Nothing!

Brauer.