Fires of St. John - LightNovelsOnl.com
You're reading novel online at LightNovelsOnl.com. Please use the follow button to get notifications about your favorite novels and its latest chapters so you can come back anytime and won't miss anything.
And how nearly finished is the lover's nest, eh?
Gertrude.
Only one more trip to the city, I believe she said.
Brauer.
Well, and do you like the arrangement?
Gertrude.
I don't know, papa dear. I am kept entirely in the dark. It is to be a surprise to me. Oh, I will like it very much indeed, I think.
Brauer.
And are you happy, my pet?
Gertrude.
Oh, papa, dear, I sometimes feel as if I didn't deserve all this happiness.
Brauer.
Well, my dear, a housewife who calls these soft-boiled eggs, certainly does not deserve such happiness.
Gertrude.
[_Embarra.s.sed_.] I only boiled them about three-quarters of an hour----
Brauer.
Ha, ha, ha, ha!
Gertrude.
Oh, I beg your pardon, papa, I will----
Brauer.
There, there, I was only joking; never mind it. And Marie, I suppose, is taking her rest now?
Gertrude.
If she only would do so. Papa, you must compel her to take a rest. No one can endure such a strain. One day she is looking after this house, and the next day she is in the city, furnis.h.i.+ng our new home; and the nights she pa.s.ses on the train. I am sure she will break down.
Brauer.
Well, well, I will look after that.
Mrs. Brauer.
[_Enters from L_.] Good-morning!
Brauer.
Morning! Well?
Gertrude.
[_Throws her arms around her mother_.] Good-morning, mama dear!
Mrs. Brauer.
[_Caressing her_.] My sweet! my pet! only four more good-mornings, and then----
Gertrude.
You must come to visit me soon, mama!
Mrs. Brauer.
[_Crying_.] Visit? ah, yes!
Brauer.
No tears now, no tears, I beg of you! Tears on an empty stomach--b-r-r-r-r-r, that's poison.
Mrs. Brauer.
My darling, who dressed your hair last night?
Gertrude.
The housekeeper.
Mrs. Brauer.
There! I knew Marie could not have done that. But do you know--Marie--a few moments ago I opened her door softly, to see how she was resting, and found her still fully dressed, just as she came from the train, seated at the open window, a book in her lap, and staring out into s.p.a.ce.
Brauer.
Well, well, well! I thought her pa.s.sion for novels had pa.s.sed away long ago.
Mrs. Brauer.
I've been thinking--we must watch her more closely.
Brauer.
