Page:Poet Lore, volume 34, 1923.djvu/500

 Lena (Shading her eyes).—Light the table lamp, too, Bara.

Erna.—Of course, he can’t help it that he was wounded. But he lay idle for half a year in a military hospital, and now, although the expedition is still in progress, he is coming home.

Lena.—Fortunately for us, Erna.

Erna (To herself).—Another winter! What a life!

Bara.—That man, my lady! He ought to bring some luck back with him, seeing that he carried it all away. Your father, the baron, undoubtedly caught his death in taking him to the station in that awful weather! And my Tony!—Him he hauled away, and now I can’t see that he is bringing him back. (Weeps.)

Erna (Half audible sarcasm).—What a pity. We might have had him for supper here, too.

Lena.—Don’t cry, Bara. He died a hero.

Bara.—Ah, my lady, how else would he die. He was my little grandson, my little soldier! Of all the men that went from this estate, he is the only one that is never coming back. (Drying her tears with a corner of her apron) And yet our dear administrator promised to look after him for me, and he had him enlisted in his own division.

(The noise of an approaching carriage is heard grinding to a stop on the gravel driveway outside.)

Bara.—Here he is! (She dabs at her eyes with her apron and goes out.)

Lena (Much agitated).—Erna, I beg you

Erna (Scornfully)—You have begged enough; please don’t make yourself ridiculous.

Lena (Vainly trying to master her emotions).—Listen!—Erna, you said something today you referred to  what did you mean by saying you would become a specter?

Erna.—A spook?

Lena.—What did you mean?

Erna.—Wouldn’t I make a dandy “woman in white?”

Lena.—That isn’t it. You said it as if you meant, “who is it that already haunts this house?”

Erna.—You silly, look here. What’s happening to you,—you are all a-tremble.

( jerks off her glasses and flings them on the piano.)

Erna (More gently).—Forgive me—I did not mean (resuming her caustic manner.) I always stand by what I say, and what I say I mean. I don’t mince matters. I speak right from the shoulder. I tell you frankly that green glasses make you