Sh! Here comes your little girl. (Daisy _enters with two vases, which she is carrying very carefully._)
But you were to get a pair of lace curtains!
Oh, forgive me, mother, dear. I thought you said vases. I'll go (_Exit with the vases._)
I don't know what's come over the child! Why, she's been such a help these days--thought of everything, wanted to do everything herself.
She's been going to the Art Institute. She wants to teach drawing.
I suppose the captain thought a lot of her?
Oh, dear me, yes. She was always around him from the time that she was a mere child. They used to play together out in the yard like two little kittens! Of course, when she grew older, that sort of thing stopped. But lately, when he seemed so worried, I----
Yes, indeed. I've had my suspicions for the last two months. Well, when he seemed so worried, I used to manage to send her in to him pretty often. She read aloud to him--and so on. (Daisy _enters with a couple of curtains, and a dark coat on her arm._)
Thanks, thanks, little lady. (_Takes the curtains from her and stands on a chair under one of the mirrors._) What lovely Venetian lace! Ah, yes, every mirror comes to this sooner or later!
I'd like to get a breath of fresh air, would you mind, mother, dear? I feel so----
Yes, yes, dear. Go out for a little while. (Daisy _puts on her coat._)
Kellermann (_in front of the other mirror_).
If it doesn't fall to pieces. (_Hands it to her._) Ah, yes, many, many loved him! He had a beautiful life, he had a beautiful death, and, as for a beautiful funeral--just leave that to Kellermann! (_Takes his hat._) I'll be back again for the procession. Good evening, ladies.
Good evening. (_To_ Daisy, _seeing her take off her coat._) I thought you said you were going out?
I'm glad, because one feels so--so alone in here.
Tell me something, Daisy, dear. Weren't you in there last night?
Well, I thought I heard some one go past the door.
You must have been dreaming, mother, dear.
Very likely. I haven't been sleeping well these nights. See here, Daisy, perhaps he's left us something--you, at least--tell me, haven't you been thinking about that sometimes?
Daisy (_apart, with a glance at the clock_).
What's that you were saying? (_The bell rings_. Daisy _starts._) Why, what's the matter with you? (v. Wolters _enters._)