Yes.

_Mother:_

How many war brides to-day?

_Amelia:_

Ten, they said.

_Mother:_ [_Nodding._]

Aye, that is good. Has any one asked you, Amelia? [_Amelia looks
embarrassed._] Some one should ask you. You are a good-looking girl.

_Amelia:_ [_In a low voice._]

Hans Hoffman asked me last night.

_Mother:_

The young and handsome lieutenant? You are lucky. You said yes?

_Amelia:_ [_Shakes her head._]

No.

_Mother:_

Ah, well.

_Amelia:_

I hardly know him. I've only spoken to him once before. O Mother--that
isn't what I want to do.

_Mother:_

What did you tell him?

_Amelia:_ [_Timidly._]

That I was going away to join the Red Cross.

_Mother:_

Amelia!

_Amelia:_

He didn't believe me. He kissed me--and I ran away.

_Mother:_

The Red Cross!

_Amelia:_ [_Eagerly._]

Yes; that is what I was going to tell you just now. That is why I was
packing the bag. [_Gets it._] I--I want to go. I want to go to-night. I
can't stand this waiting.

_Mother:_

You leave me, too?

_Amelia:_

I want to go to the front with Franz and Otto and Emil, to nurse them,
to take care of them if they are wounded--and all the others. Let me,
Mother! I, too, must do something for my country. The grapes are
plucked, and the hay is stacked. Hedwig is gathering the wheat. You can
spare me. I have been dreaming of it night and day.

_Mother:_ [_Setting her lips decisively._]

No, Amelia!

_Amelia:_

O Mother, why?

_Mother:_

You must help me with Hedwig. I can't manage her alone.

_Amelia:_

Hedwig!

_Mother:_

She is strange; she broods. Hadn't you noticed?

_Amelia:_

Why, yes; but I thought she was worrying about Franz. She adores him,
and any day she may hear that he is killed. It's the waiting that's so
awful.

_Mother:_

But it's more than the waiting with Hedwig. Aye, you will help Franz
more by staying home to take care of his wife, Amelia, especially now.

_Amelia:_ [_Puzzled._]

_Now?_

_Mother:_ [_Goes to her work-basket._]

Hedwig has told you nothing?

_Amelia:_

No.

_Mother:_

Ah, she is a strange girl! She asked me to keep it a secret,--I don't
know why,--but now I think you should know. See! [_Very proudly she
holds up the tiny baby garments she is knitting._]

_Amelia:_ [_Pleased and astonished._]

So Franz and Hedwig--

_Mother:_ [_Nods._]

For their child. In six months now. My fi