Wave to Arno. Come, Mother. Ah, how quickly they go!

[The official steps out of the door. There is quick rhythm of marching feet as the departing regiment passes not very far from the house.]

There he is! Wave, Mother. Good-by! good-by!

[The women stand in the doorway, waving their sad farewells, smiling bravely. The sounds grow less and less, until there is the usual silence.]

In another month, in another week, perhaps, all the men will be gone. We will be a village of women. Not a man left.

[She leads the old mother into the house once more.]

Hertz: [In the door.]

What did you say?

Hedwig:

Not a man left, I said.

Hertz:

You forget. I shall be here.

Hedwig:

You are old. You don't count. They think you are only a woman, Herr Captain.

Hertz: [Insulted.]

You—you—

Hedwig:

Oh, don't take it badly, sir. You are honored. Is the name of woman always to be despised? Look out in those fields. Who cleared them, and plucked the vineyards clean? You think we are left at home because we are weak. Ah, no; we are strong. That is why. Strong to keep the world going, to keep sacred the greatest things in life—love and home and work. To remind men of—peace. [With a quick change.] If only you really were a woman, Herr Captain, that you might breed soldiers for the empire, your glory would be complete.

[The old captain is about to make an angry reply when there is a commotion outside. The words "News from the front" are distinguished, growing more distinct. The captain rushes out. The women are paralyzed with apprehension for a moment.]

Mother:

Amelia, go and see. Hedwig, come here.

[Hedwig crouches on the floor close to the mother, her eyes wide with dread. In a few moments Amelia returns, dragging her feet, woe in her face, and unable to deal the blow which must fall on the two women, who stare at her with blanched faces.]

Amelia: [Falling at her mother's knee.]

Mother!

Mother: [Scarcely breathing.]

Which one?

Amelia:

All of them.

Mother: [Dazed.]

All? All my boys?

Amelia:

Emil, Otto—be thankful Arno is left.

[The Mother drops her head back against the chair and silently prays. Hedwig creeps nearer Amelia and holds her face between her hands, looking into her eyes.]

Hedwig: [Whispering.]

Franz?

Amelia:

Franz, too.