Brauer.

[_To his wife_.] Look at her--she is positively livid.

Mrs. Brauer.

What is the matter, my child?

Marie.

Mama, dear, I sat up all night in the train and have had no sleep at all.

Brauer.

And how much longer will it take you----?

Marie.

Only one more trip to town,--but pardon me, papa, the new a.s.sistant pastor is at the gate and----

Brauer.

Who?

Marie.

The new a.s.sistant pastor.

[Gertrude _snickers_.]

Brauer.

[_To_ Gertrude.] What are you laughing at?

Gertrude.

[_Pulling at_ Marie's _skirt and can hardly keep from bursting out laughing_.] I--I--oh, I am not laughing.

Brauer.

[_To_ Marie.] But what does he want?

Marie.

He says he does not wish to disturb the ladies so early in the morning, and asks you to please come out----

Brauer.

Nonsense! tell him to come in.

Marie.

Yes, papa.

George.

Good-morning, Marie.

Marie.

Good-morning, George. [_Exit_.]

Brauer.

Gertrude, come here. Now remember, my dear, such conduct is not at all becoming to a full-grown young lady.

Gertrude.

My dear, sweet papa, I am so ashamed of myself--I--I'll never do it again--never. But it's so funny--ha, ha, ha! he is gone on Marie----

Mrs. Brauer.

My dear, remember you are now a bride and it would be far more proper to say----

George.

Smitten with her?

Mrs. Brauer.

[_Somewhat reproachfully_.] George!!!

Brauer.

Sh, sh--silence!

[_During following scene_, Marie _noiselessly clears off the table_.]

Pastor.

[_Enters_.] I should not have dared to annoy the ladies at this early hour, if----

Brauer.

[_Laughingly_.] Eight o'clock is not so very early in the country, my dear Pastor; you will soon learn that here.

Mrs. Brauer.

And how is the good old pastor?