Fires of St. John - LightNovelsOnl.com
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Pastor.
Do not say that, madame; for when the time has come when all our wishes and hopes and desires are concentrated upon a small quant.i.ty of sweets, our sufferings are near the end. And now, adieu. Miss Marie, adieu.
Marie.
[_Preoccupied_.] Adieu.
[Pastor _exits, accompanied by_ Brauer.]
[Gertrude _enters_.]
Mrs. Brauer.
Don't be afraid dear, no one will scold you.
Gertrude.
Oh mama, I'm so ashamed of myself. When he arrived he seemed so jolly--and now--I am sure he is offended.
George.
He was not offended, dear, only a little grave.
Mrs. Brauer.
At any rate, what do you think of him, Marie?
Marie.
[_Glancing up from her work, sorting linen_.] Of whom, mama dear?
Mrs. Brauer.
Why, the new pastor.
Marie.
Oh mama, my mind is so occupied, I hadn't given him a thought.
Gertrude.
[_Aside to_ George.] Now you tell her, George.
Marie.
Gertrude, how about our manzanillo-tree--any blossoms this morning?
Mrs. Brauer.
You don't mean to say you haven't looked after that beloved tree of yours this morning?
Marie.
I have had no time, mama dear.
Gertrude.
[_To_ George.] Now tell her.
George.
Marie, both Gertrude and myself insist, that you cease this endless drudgery for our sakes; it isn't right.
[Marie, _humming, pays no heed--looks into s.p.a.ce_.]
Gertrude.
See, she is not even listening.
Mrs. Brauer.
What's that you are singing?
Marie.
I--? Was I singing?
Mrs. Brauer.
Well then, humming.
Marie.
Oh yes, last night at the station I heard a strange song--some one in a fourth-cla.s.s coach was singing. Listen. [_Sings_.]
"Zwirio czenay, zwirio tenay--kam'mano bernyczo--Rid wid wil dai dai--Ne'r mano bernyczo."
George.
And the Lithuanian text--you memorized it just from hearing it?
Marie.
Certainly.
George.
Well, where did you learn all that?
