Page:Poet Lore, volume 35, 1924.pdf/538

 Ann (To, who is coming after ).—How could this have happened? I am sure I locked the door.

John (Coming up hastily). That was a smart thing for you to do! He jumped from the veranda into the yard; he could have broken his leg. Johnny! It seemed to me that he limped. (To .) You still here? The dew may rust even an old love affair.

Johnny.—Are you going to live at our house, uncle? Granny says you have to go away again. I don’t want you to go. Do stay, please. Say you will stay.

Hans.—No, Johnny, I cannot stay this time. I must go where I came from.

Johnny.—Won’t you take me with you?

John.—You really mean that, Hans?

Hans (Vainly trying to put of).—He is hard to

John.—So you realize at last

Hans.—I realize

Johnny (Interrupting).—Please, uncle, wait till I get dressed!

Ann.—We might have been spared all this!

John (With authority).—Johnny, will you go, or won’t you?

Hans (Firing).—Let the boy alone! (Controlling himself.) He will go of his own accord.

John.—If you are anxious as I am to avoid all unpleasant consequences, you have very little time to spare.

Hans.—Oh, Johnny is a smart lad, and he sees that it is impossible to take him away from his mother.

John.—You know that America is not over here in Bavaria. You must have learned that much in school.

Ann.—You wouldn’t leave your mother, would you, Johnny?

Johnny (Quietly crying on breast).—Will you send me a revolver, and a tomahawk, and a a calumet?

Hans.—You bet your life I’ll send them. As soon as ever I get home.

Johnny.—But still I’d rather have you stay.

Ann.—I foresaw how it would be.

John.—If you keep your uncle too long the captain of the guard will come and take him away.

Johnny (Letting go).—Because he is a rebel?

Hans.—Yes, a rebel, a fugitive, a prisoner, and God knows what more!