Steward (Outside).—Don’t worry, sir. They are ready to throw across the wagons at a moment’s notice.
Burris (To Erna).—You spoke, dear?
Erna.—I only wish to say that when you applied for active service you practically bound yourself to fulfill this obligation. You owe it to the regiment to whose commander your application was addressed. Your invitation is not “hoflichst eingeladen,” but “anbefehlen.” Just as if you were already in service. Wouldn’t it be fine, after having been married by a field chaplain, after having the colonel himself witness the ceremony, after attending all the official balls—and I saw no one of them all so well spoken of as you—For half a year now we have been driving to Sopote, never missing one anniversary at the casino; while here at Harshaw we have been entertaining military dignitaries . . .
Burris (Darkly).—I am not an active officer yet.
Erna (With force) —My God! How could I forget for one minute. (Triumphantly.) You may be one at this very moment. The postman was here just now with two very important letters. So important, indeed, that he could not leave them with me.
Burris.—He found me out in the field.
Erna.—What about it?
Burris (Evasively).—The hypothecary bank passed on the loan favorably. Sign here. This is something to the purpose, to be sure, but not all.
Erna (Anxiously).—And you speak of it in as detached a way as if you said today is Friday. It would almost seem that you are sorry that we are so near to our goal.
Burris.—I never had any doubt about the loan. Harshaw was not quite ruined under the old regime, and the moment the lawful heiress to the estate gave her written consent, the loan was certain.
Erna.—Oh, you darling!
Lena.—That was the last signature I could see to write.
Erna (Close to Burris).—Now that all this is off our minds, let us make good use of the little time remaining tous. I am not nearly ready myself, and you, my dear hubby, better make haste. Put on your very best. I prescribe the parade uniform. I want to see you looking as swell as you did on our wedding day, see (Kisses him.) That moustache of yours is more of a hindrance than a luxury when it comes to kissing.
