Good. Lord, child, but you are peculiar!----What ideas you have!----I really can't do that!

WENDLA.

But why not, Mother?----Why not?----It can't be anything ugly if everybody is delighted over it!

FRAU BERGMANN.

O----O G.o.d protect me!----I deserve----Go get dressed, child, go get dressed!

WENDLA.

I'll go----And suppose your child went and asked the chimney-sweep?

FRAU BERGMANN.

But that would be madness!----Come here, child, come here, I'll tell you! I'll tell you everything----O Almighty Goodness!----only not to-day, Wendla!----To-morrow, the next day, next week----any time you want, dear heart----

WENDLA.

Tell me to-day, Mother; tell me now! Right away!----Now that I have seen you so frightened I can never be peaceful until you do.

FRAU BERGMANN.

I can't do it, Wendla.

WENDLA.

Oh, why can't you, Mother dear!----I will kneel here at your feet and lay my head in your lap. You can cover my head with your ap.r.o.n and talk and talk, as if you were entirely alone in the room. I won't move, I won't cry, I will bear all patiently, no matter what may come.

FRAU BERGMANN.

Heaven knows, Wendla, that I am not to blame! Heaven knows it!----Come here in G.o.d's name! I will tell you, child, how you came into this world.----Listen to me, Wendla.----

WENDLA.

(_Under the ap.r.o.n._)

I'm listening.

FRAU BERGMANN.

(_Extatically._)

But it's no use, child!----I can't justify it. I deserve to be put into prison----to have you taken from me.

WENDLA.

Take heart, Mother!

FRAU BERGMANN.

Listen, then----!

WENDLA.

(_Trembling under the ap.r.o.n._)

O G.o.d! O G.o.d!

FRAU BERGMANN.

In order to have a child----do you understand me, Wendla?

WENDLA.

Quick, Mother, I can't stand it much longer.

FRAU BERGMANN.

In order to have a child----one must love--the man--to whom one is married--love him, I tell you--as one can only love a man! One must love him so much with one's whole heart, so--so that one can't describe it! One must love him, Wendla, as you at your age are still unable to love----Now you know it!

WENDLA.

(_Getting up._)

Great----G.o.d----in heaven!

FRAU BERGMANN.

Now you know what an ordeal awaits you!

WENDLA.

And that is all?

FRAU BERGMANN.

As true as G.o.d helps me!----Take your basket now and go to Ina. You will get chocolate and cakes there.----Come, let's look you over, the laced shoes, the silk gloves, the sailor blouse, the rose in your hair--your dress is really becoming much too short for you, Wendla!

WENDLA.

Did you get meat for lunch, Mother?

FRAU BERGMANN.

The Good G.o.d protect and bless you----I will find an opportunity to add a handbreadth of flounces to the bottom.

SCENE THIRD.