Page:Poet Lore, volume 34, 1923.djvu/502

 must you think of us? Excuse our rudeness. We never thought to inquire how you stood the trip, Mr. administrator.

Burris.—I began the journey feeling like an invalid, and I finish it Well, the nearer the train carried me to Harshaw the fitter I felt. Miss Lena, you can easily understand how it is, seeing it is your native nest, too. Miss Erna would find it more difficult to sympathize with us.

( motions him to a chair. He sits. A short silence.)

Burris (Suddenly rising).—I beg your pardon, dear ladies permit me While I was in Bosnia  I heard it  Permit me to express my heart-felt sympathy in the death of your father, the colonel, who has always been a father to me also. (His voice breaks for a moment.) My sympathy is a little tardy, to be sure, but it is most sincere, as deeply felt even now as it was when I received the communication on the battlefield. It followed me from place to place until it overtook me at Dubow. I meant to answer at once, I intended to write that very evening. But by evening writing for me was out of the question, as they had me on a transport bound for the hospital.

Erna.—Please be seated, Mr. Burris.

Lena.—We were very sorry for you, although we did not hear of your misfortune until you were almost recovered.

Burris (With a sigh).—It was a hard pull, but thank God I am now as well as ever.

Erna (Pointedly).—Some of us even cried a little, even though it hurt our eyes to do so.

Lena.—Erna!

Erna.—You needn’t be ashamed of your feelings, dearie, seeing that you had grown up with Mr. Burris here at Harshaw.

Burris.—That is true, Miss Erna; we did grow up together from childhood. But I must remind you that in all those years we played together I never presumed upon our friendship. Not even my mother, however motherly her feeling for you might have been, ever allowed herself to forget that you belonged to a superior class. (After a short pause, he continues.) Well, then, I believe I have sufficiently introduced myself, and properly paid my respects to my fair employers. With their permission I shall withdraw to where I belong. (To .) May I make so bold, before I go, to ask one simple question?

Lena.—Please ask it.

Burris.—I mean forgive me, gracious ladies, but I should like to know from the beginning just what to expect.