[Marie _has entered with the bowl and glasses_.]
[_Drinks_.] Excellent, Marie! Superb! I tell you, Pastor, whoever gets her for a wife will be a lucky man indeed.
[_With a glass to_ George, _who has gone back and is looking out_.]
[_Caressing her, with a shy glance at_ Marie.] Why, yes, little one, thank you! Look, how bright and beautiful the moon shines to-night! Everything wrapped as in silvery spider web! How beautiful!
[_Oppressed_.] They will soon set off the bonfires.
See, see--at last you have spoken; I feared you had lost your tongue. Come here, my child. Get your glasses, all of you---- Your health! The Pastor shall give us a toast; yes, yes, Pastor!--a genuine pagan toast, well suited to this night! Now, tell me, my child, are you obliged to go to the city again to-night?
You gave your permission quite two weeks ago, papa dear!
But not to go in the middle of the night!
I must go, papa. The men are to be there at seven in the morning, and if I am not there to give instructions the house will never be finished in time.
Never mind, Henry, there is no help for it.
Why, papa, there is nothing the matter with me. I am well and merry----
You are merry, eh? Let me hear you laugh!
[_Imitating her_.] Yes, yes--ha, ha, ha----!
Come here, my child. [_Strokes her hair_.] Did you sleep well last night?
But if this stranger should attack you again?
Oh, nothing of importance, Pastor. [_To_ Marie.] You will take the one o'clock train----
There is another--at four--t'will be daylight then----
Very well, you needn't go to bed, then. George can take you to the depot.
[_Startled and simultaneously_.] What--I?
Pray do not think me obtrusive; but I am at your service.
No, no, thank you. Pastor; your time will come some other day. [_Aside_.] It will at least give him something to do. [_Meaning_ George.]
I want to go too, papa! I love moonshine promenades.
No, no, my pet. In the first place, it is very improper for lovers to be out so late at night, without a chaperon.
I would much prefer to go alone. I am not at all afraid--and I do not wish to trouble George--or any one else----
Any one else is out of the question, for in this house every one rises at five in the morning. [_To_ George.] Now, then, what excuse have you to offer?