Fires of St. John Part 9

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?