War Brides: A Play in One Act | Page 9

you under arrest. Come with me. You will be shot
for treason.
Mother: [Fearfully, drawing him aside.]
Don't say that, sir. Wait. Oh, no, you can't do that!
[_She gets out her work-basket, and shows him the baby things she has
been knitting, and glances significantly at Hedwig. A horrid smile
comes into the man's face. Hedwig, snatches the things and crushes
them to her breast as if sacrilege had been committed._]
Hertz:
Is this true? You expect--
Hedwig: [Proudly, scornfully.]
You will not shoot me if I give you a soldier for your empire and your
armies and your guns, will you, Herr Captain?
Hertz:

Why--eh, no. Every child counts these times. But we will put you under
lock and key. You are a firebrand. I warned you. Come along.
Hedwig:
You want my child, but still you will not promise me what I asked you.
Well, we shall see.
Hertz:
Come along.
Hedwig:
Give me just a moment. I want to send a message to the emperor. Will
you take it for me, Herr Captain?
Mother: [Signing.]
Humor her.
Hertz:
Well, well, hurry up!
[Hedwig sits at table and writes a brief note.]
Mother: [Whispering.]
She has lost Franz. She is crazed.
Hedwig: [Rising.]
There. See that it is placed in the hands of the emperor. [_Gives him the
note._] Good-by, Amelia! Never be a war bride, Amelia.
[Kisses her three times,] Good-by, Mother.
[Embraces her tenderly.] Thank you for these.

[_She gathers the baby things in her hands, crosses the room, pressing a
little sock to her lips. As she passes the cupboard she deftly seizes the
pistol, and moves into the bedroom. On the threshold she looks over
her shoulder._]
Hedwig: [Firmly.]
You may read the message out loud.
[_She disappears into the room, still pressing the little sock to her
lips._]
Hertz: [Reading the note.]
"A Message to the Emperor: I refuse to bear my child until you promise
there shall be no more war."
[_A shot is fired in the bedroom. They rush into the room. The Mother
stands trembling by the table._]
Hertz: [_Awed, coming out of the room with the baby things, which he
places on the table._]
Dead! Tcha! tcha! she was mad. I will hush it up, Maria.
[_He tears up Hedwig's message to the emperor, and goes out of the
house, shaking his head. Amelia is kneeling in the doorway of the
bedroom, bending over something, and softly crying. The Mother
slowly gathers up the pieces of Hedwig's message and the baby
garments, now dashed with blood, and, sitting on the bench, holds them
tight against her breast, staring straight in front of her, her lips moving
inaudibly. She closes her eyes and rocks to and fro, still muttering and
praying._]

CURTAIN

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