Part 25 (1/2)

Well, dear, good-bye. If Richard turns up, be sure you make him wait. I shall be back in an hour. (Kellinghausen _and_ Brachtmann _go out_.)

Beata.

(_Closing her eyes, with a miserable smile_.) In an hour!

_Enter_ Ellen.

Ellen (_in the doorway_).

Mother!

Beata.

Come in, dear child.

Ellen (_kneeling down beside her_).

Mother, mother dear, what has happened? What is it? Papa is so excited and talks to himself so strangely--and you--oh, mother!

Beata (_smiling_).

Well what have I done?

Ellen.

If I tell you, you won't--won't stay away? You'll come and lean over my bed every night--just as you've always done?

Beata (_surprised_).

Then you're awake--when I come?

Ellen.

Always, always. I never go to sleep till I've heard you.

Beata.

Dearest! And yet you never stirred!

Ellen.

Oh, I prided myself on that! But last night it was so hard to keep quiet. I could feel your tears on my face--oh, how you were crying! And I did so want to cry with you. But I held my breath and lay as still as I could.--Mother, what has happened? Won't you tell me? I'm not a child any longer.

Beata.

Listen, dear. I want to ask you a question. Is there any one in the world--besides your father and me--that you're very fond of?

Ellen (_softly_).

You know, mother. I don't have to tell you things----