Page:Poet Lore, volume 35, 1924.pdf/537

 Hans.—Ann, I thank you.

Julia.—I can’t comprehend what is happening to me!

Ann.—I want no thanks, not at this time: but I shall be eternally grateful to you when you are beyond the mountains, far away under those stars there. (A note of the meadow lark.) Only hurry! Day is almost here! You must be gone before light!

Hans (To ).—Are you hesitating?

Julia.—Oh, Mr. Karvan, what am I to do? I cannot believe that you are willing to become my liberator.

Hans.—More than that! In time I am hoping that I may be able to make up to you your loss, my dear Mrs. Doctor.

Julia.—If you are joking, it is a cruel joke!

Hans.—I mean it most seriously. I don’t know whether anything I may possess beyond the seas is worthy of you, but I ask you: Will you go with me? Will you be my wife?

Julia (Brightening, then sad).—Oh, but you are forgetting one thing! I am not alone

Hans.—What else?

Julia.—My little one.

Hans.—God forbid that I should forget him! Without him my compensation would be incomplete. Having become a father, I shall not leave without a son. You, Julia, shall make up my Ann to me, and your boy, my son

Ann (As the cock crows).—For God’s love, make haste! Before you get the boy ready

Julia.—That’s the easiest part of my preparation! (She runs out right happily. The day is dawning fast.)

Hans (To, attempting to embrace her).—Good bye Ann!

Ann.—Not that kind of a good bye! I am afraid of your arms. (She offers her lips in a long kiss which she herself interrupts.) No, Hans, don’t be cruel. You can’t conceal it. Your lips, they cannot tell a lie even in a kiss.

Hans.—That kiss has spoken the truth—it was meant for our boy. Kiss him for his uncle a thousand times.

Johnny (Outside) Uncle! Uncle!

Ann.—Ah,it’s too late!

(With a joyful cry runs in in his night clothes, leaps into  arms, and throws his arms about his neck.)

Hans (Kissing him tendezlytenderly [sic]).—My precious boy!