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Freiling.— As you like.
Betty.— (takes the guitar and tunes it,
humming at the same time.)
Freiling.— (becomes attentive to the
sound of her voice.)
Betty.— Oh ! oh! (she pretends to have
hurt her hand.)
Freiling.— What is the matter ?
Betty.— The peg will not turn ; see, my
poor finger is quite red.
Freiling.— l am sorry.
Betty.— (pouting.) I don’t believe it.
Freiling.— Why not?
Betty.— (imitating him.) I am sorry—is
that atone of pity ? You are hard-hearted.
Please help me, I can’t turn the peg.
(Hands him the guitar.)
Freiling.— (turns the peg.)
Betty.— (kneels before him, and strikes
the single strings as he tunes.) A little
more—there—now the A—not that—the
second peg—this way; now, it must be
clear. (Rises, takes the guitar and strikes a
chord.) Very good; now you may take
your book again. (Puts the book in his
hand, seats herself, and sings one of Men
delssohn’s songs.)
Freiling.— (listens with the greatest at
tention; lets the book lie on his lap, and
looks at her more frequently each minute.)
Betty.— (takescare not to meet his glance
but observes him closely. When she has
finished, after a pause.) How do you like
the song?
Freiling.— (enthusiastically, as though
just awakened) It is beautiful! (Takes the
book, and returns to his former manner.)
Betty.— (While putting away the guitar,
softly repeats the refrain; then takes un
wound yarn and winder from the closet.)
Oh dear!
Freiling.— What is the matter?
Betty.— l wanted to wind yarn and the
winder is broken. It is too bad,—oh, good
Mr. Womtylhater, you can help me!
Freiling.— l ?
Betty.— lfyou will hold the yarn—please,
please—
Freiling.— B ut—
Please, please! I will do you a
favor in return. Even though you are a
woman hater; you may, byway of variety,
be agreeable just this once. Otherwise, I
don’t know how to help myself.
Freiling.— But I don’t understand it.
(From now on he becomes more obliging,
his harsh manner yields gradually against
his will, although he tries to prevent it.)
Betty.— There is nothing to understand.
I will soon teach you. Please, please do!
Freiling.— Very well.
Betty.— Put away your book, there—now
turn around to me—there—hold out your
arms—not that way. (She places his arms
in the right position, puts the yarn oyer
his hands, and begins to wind.) See, it is
quite easy. How long have you been in
Egsdorth ?
Freiling.— Nearly two years.
Betty.— And always alone?
Freiling.— Solitude is the best friend of
man.
Betty.— Be more attentive; youmusthelp
with your hand somewhat—that is right.
Solitude, nonsense! that suitsagray-beard
ed philosopher, but you—how old are you?
Freiling.— Twenty-five years.
Betty.— (stops and looks at him.) Itook
you for thirty; on account of the full beard,
perhaps.
Freiling.— Do you dislike it?
Betty.— Certainly not; I like full beards
—a man without a beard, fie! Have you
never been in love?
Freiling.— l beg you, madam, let us not
speak of it.
Betty.— Don’t call me madam, it is such
a stupid word.
Freiling.— What shall I then—
Betty.— Call me simply Betty—you are
my husband’s friend.
Freiling.— But madam—
Betty.— (stops him) What must you say.
Freiling.— But—
Betty.— Well? (spells)B-e-t. Bet—say it.
Freiling.— l can—
Betty.— Try, just once. No woman hater
has ever addressed me so. I would like to
hear it from you.
Freiling.— Well—Betty !
Betty.— Pshaw!
Freiling.— What is the matter ?
Betty.— How harsh that sounds! My
husband says: “dear Betty,” so gently, so
affectionately, it sounds much better. I
don’t think it possible for you to love.
Freiling.— Madam, I beg you—
Betty.— Betty!
Freiling.— Well then,Betty, I beg you—
Betty.— Confess it to me. I am very cu
rious. Have you never loved?
Freilidg.— You tear open, an old wound.
Betty.— Have you been in love? Tell
me about it. I thought you bad an idio—
idio—what is the word?
Freiling.— ldiosyncrasy.
Betty.— (steadying his hand.) Be careful,
you will drop the yarn ! Well?
Freiling What is it ?
Betty.— You must tell me.
Freiling.— Let us leave the subject.
Betty.— Oh dear, Mr. Freiling, how can
you be so cruel as not to satisfy my curios
ity! Was your beloved beautiful?
Freiling.— (quickly.) Very beautiful!
Betty.— Was she young?
Freiling.— As you are.
Betty.— What was the color of her eyes?
Freiling.— Black.
Betty.— And her name?
Freiling.— Sophie.
Betty.— That is a pretty name. Did you
really love her very much ?
Freiling.— She was my all.
Betty.— And she is dead?
Freiling.— N o.
Betty.— (drops the yarn.) What!
Freiling.— She is living, well and happy. I
Betty.— How is that? Did you forsake I
her?
Freiling.— No, she was not true to me.
Betty.— Fie, how abominable!
Freiling.— Was it not?
Betty.— How can one be faithless! I can
not understand it!
Freiling.— l could not understand it
either.
Betty.— You poor, poor man—now I can
understand why you do not love our sex.
Freiling.— ls it not natural?
Betty.— Faithless to a loved one—that is
terrible! my poor friend, what you must
have suffered.
Freiling.— Oh, Betty, I was almost mad.
Betty.— No wonder. Forget the faithless
creature, the traitress!
Freiling.— l cannot (he becomes gradual
ly more confidential.)
Betty.— Believe me, she was not a wo
man, but a monster, for faithlessness is not
a fault of our sex.
Freiling.— Had she only felt as you do!
you are so good. Betty, such sympathy is
very grateful to me.
Betty.— Really ?
Freiling.— lt does my heart good.
Betty.— Truly? (They look at each other,
and she casts down her eyes.) It distresses
me to see unhappiness, and I can’t help
crying when I see others cry.
Freiling.— You are so good, so kind
hearted, dear Betty.
Betty.— Let us speak no more of the faith
less one, she was not worthy of you.
Freiling.— But, perhaps, I was also some
what in fault.
Betty.— Let us discontinue this sad story.
You may tell me the rest another time
when we are better acquainted.
Freiling.— l can tell you all now.
Betty.— Do you trust me ?
Freiling.— Yes.
Bettv.— (Casts her eyes down.)
Freiling.— (Taking her hand.) Why do
you not look at me?
Betty.— Take care, you will let the yarn
fall.
Freiling.— l will be more careful. (Places
himself in the right position.)
Betty.— Are you very rich ?
Freiling.— Oh, yes!
Betty.— How I would like to be rich too!
Freiling.— Money and happiness are not
synonymous. You are richer than I?
Betty.— (laughing) I?
Freiling.— Your cheerfulness ; your con
tentment-r-
Betty.— That is all very true ; but money
enables us to help others, and do much
good. Are you not charitable?
Freiling.— l? Yes—no—to be candid—
Betty.— Not ? But you have a good face
—I hope that, on account of your hatred of
women, you have not forgotten the poor.
Freiling.— ln deeds, I have little—
Betty.— Fie, sir, I had not thought it of
you; that is inexcusable!
Freiling.— But, Betty—
Betty.— One should not be so selfish as
to forget others.
Freiling.— But, dear Betty—
Betty.— lndeed though, I must tell you
the truth.
Freiling.— l will try to do better; will
you help me?
Betty.— How can I?
Freiling.— Distribute my charity; show
me where you know of poverty.
Beßy.—l will, gladly. Don’t worry, I
will attend to my duty well; you may give
money plentifully.
Freiling.— As much as you wish; my
purse is at your command.
Betty.— The yarn is wrong again; you
were much more attentive at first. Are
you tired?
Freiling.— Not at all.
Betty.— ls so, tell me, and I will stop—;
Freiling.— No, indeed; I will hold it as \
long as you wish.
Betty.— Oh! oh!
Freiling (startled) What is the matter? ,
Betty.— A gnat has flown into my eye;,
oh dear, how it hurts ?
Freiling.— (Seems very much concerned.) j
Don’t rub your eye.
Betty.— See if you can find it.
Freiling.— Open your eye.
Betty.— l can’t. Where are you? (Has
both eyes closed, and hunts for him with
her hand.)
Freiling.— Here. (Gives her his hand.)
Betty.— (Steadies herself.)
Freiling.— Please try to open your eye. '
Betty.— (Opens her eyes slowly.)
Freiling.— (Bending over her.) Which
eye?
Betty.— The right one.
Freiling.— (Blows in it.)
Betty.— lt is still there.
Freiling.— Hold still. (Repeats it.)
Betty.— There, now it is gone. (Tries to
release herself.)
Freiling.— (Preventsher.) Dear Betty.
Betty.— l am very much obliged to you.
Freiling.— (warmly) You are an angel!
Betty.— My husband says so too. How
long will it last?
Freiling.— Forever; you cannot be other
wise.
Betty.— (.laughing) A few years more,
then come the wrinkles.
Freiling.— They can be kissed away.
Betty.— (sHps away from him) Oh, what
is that, Mr. Womanhater?
Freiling.— Don’t say that again; I will
be the opposite if you will help me.
Betty.— l ?
Freiling.— lf you will be my friend, ai d
give me your advice.
Betty.— l will, with pleasure.
Freiling.— l will do whatever you say.
Betty.— Be contented ?
Freiling.— Y es.
Betty.— And agreeable?
Freiling.— Yes, yes.
Betty.— Hate women no more?
Freiling.— Most emphatically, no!
Betty.— Well, then, I will try.
Freiling.— ls it an agreement ?
Betty.— (Offers him her hand.)
Freiling.— Seal it.
Betty.— With what?
Freiling.— With a kiss.
Betty.— (indignantly) What do you ask ?
Freiliny.— A token of friendship.
Betty.— But that is not proper.
Freiling.— A kiss in honor—
Betty.— ls my husband—
Freiling.— He is my friend; his wife,
naturally, my friend also. (Grasps her
hand.)
Betty.— You know, he is—
Freiling.— (with enthusiasm) Let me be
the third in your beautiful union.
Betty.— But, Mr. Freiling—
Freiling.— Dear Betty, please, please !
(In spite of continued resistance, he kisses
her, finally.)
Betty.— (Screams loudly.)
Freiling.— (releasing her) 'What is the
matter?
Betty.— My husband !
Freiling.— Where ?
Betty.— He is coming through the garden,
Freiling.— (looks through the window)
And walking fast too.
Betty.— He has seen all!
Freiling.— lmpossible ! at that distance—
Betty— He sees like a hawk.
Freiling.— And if he has—
Betty.— He is so terribly jealous.
Freiling.— What if he did see, has any
thing so dreadful happened ?
Betty.— You kissed me.
Freiling.— That is not a crime.
Betty.— lt is. You don’t know him, he
will be furious.
Freiling.— My gracious! (He becomes
anxious.)
Betty.— My anxiety, my embarrass
ment !
Freiling.— Only be quiet—
Betty.— He can read everything in my
face.
Freiling.— l will go.
Betty.— You will run right into his hands.
Freiling.— But what shall I
Betty.— Hide yourself.
Freiling.— Why ?
Betty.— Please, please!
Freiling — That will look as though—
Betty.— Only until his pass-ion is over;
I please do.
i Freiling.— Very well. But where ? (Goes
■ to the left.)
Betty.— Not there; that is my room.
Freiling.— This way? (Goes to the right.)
Betty.— That is his room; he will go in
■ there.
Freiling.— Where then ?
Betty.— Under the table.
Freiling.— Under the table! No, that is
too —
Betty.— Dear, best friend !
Freiling.— You may do with me as you
like. (Crawls under the table to the right.)
Betty.— There now, keep still. (Draws
the table-cover over him, hurries to the
door to the right; takes the key out, seats
herself at the table to the left and holds her
handkerchief to her eyes.)
[Enter Gustav.]
Gustav. See, here lam back. You are
alone; I thought Freiling would still be
here. Has he gone? Did you speak to
him? What is the matter? You don’t
answer !
Betty.— (Looks at him, shakes her head,
and covers her eyes again.)
Gustav.— Merciful heaven, you make me
anxious. Betty! you have been crying.
Betty, don’t keep me in suspense I
Betty.— (Falls upon his neck, and hides
her face.)
Gustav.— Sweat wife, what has happened
to you ? Speak!
Betty.— (sobbing) I cannot.
GwsZau.—lt must be terrible—is it some
misfortune?
Betty. —lt is so hard to tell, but I dare
conceal nothing from you; I owe my firs
duty to you.
Gustav.— Betty.
Betty.— Your friend, who pretends to
hate women—
Gustav.— W ell ?
Betty.— ls a traitor.
Freiling.— (protruding his head) The
hypocrite!
Gustav.— l don’t understand—
Betty.— l was entertaining him as you
requested,(hesitating); at first he pretended
to be rude and harsh—
Gustav.— (urging her) And—
Betty.— Then he became more and more
friendly—
Gustav.— (becoming angry) Go on.
Betty.— Finally he wanted to kiss me.
Freiling.— (protrudiug his head again)
The snake.
Gustav. — To kiss you ! !
Betty.— l refused him.
Gustav. — And he?
Betty.— Kissed me in spite of my resist
ance.
Gustav.— The scoundrel! !
Betty.— Just then, you came through the
garden—
Gustav.— Where is he?
Betty.— (falls upon his neck) Don’t kill
him !
Gustav.— ls he still here ? W here, where ?
Betty.— He told me to be silent and fled
into your room—
Freiling.— (Had started from under the
front of the table, but now draws back
quietly.)
Betty.— l was confused by fright and
anger; I took the key out, not knowing
what I did.
Gustav. — The coward shall not escape
me!
Betty.— Dear Gustav.
Gustav.— To deceive me, his friend !
Betty.— Control yourself.
Gustav.— Give me the key!
Betty.— You are so much excited.
Gustav.— l will become very calm! The
key!
Betty.— You will bring misfortune upon
us.
Gustav.— The key!
Betty.— (Gives him the key.)
Gustav. — (Hurries to the door with it.)
Betty.— (sings out.) Philopena!
Gustav.— (Turns around rigidly, and
drops his arms.)
Betty.— (joyfully) Won, won !
Giz.s/av.—(Looks at her doubtfully; opens
the door, looks in and comes back.)
Betty.— Who was not going t<Dugjfeg|
again?
Gustav. — But in this caae—;
Betty.— Who thought he
the philopena?
Gustav.— Oh, you little hypocrite !
Freiling.— Wretched hypocrite !
Betty.— Did you not challenge my cun
ning?
Gustav— And Freiling?
Betty.— ls a simpleton with his hatred of
women.
Freiling.— There, she is right!
Gustav. — And I am a simpleton with
my jealousy—
Betty.— That is right; speak the truth.
Gustav.— And the philopena lost! you
killed two birds with one stone, but it was
not right to gain your point by making me
angry.
Betty.— Dear Gustav, I had to have the
shawl.
Gustav.— But it was not fair.
Betty.— (A few steps from him ) Punish
me—
Gustav.— Yes, I will.
Betty.— When you catch me. (Runs
half around the table, and out the middle
door.)
Gustav.— (Runs after her.)
Freiling.— (Crawls out from under the
table.) What an idiot I am! !
For Woman’s Work.
GEMS.
MRS. S. C. HAZLETT.
Beautiful thoughts are the reflections of
a kind heart, whose mirror is kept bright
and clear by the seal of His sanction.
Graciousness is woman's talisman.
Refinement is the chief characteristic
of all true nobility.
Intuition and presumption arise from
vain-glory and ignorance.
There is a rift in every cloud for him
who seeks it.
Sympathy to the aching heart, is like
dew to the parched flowers.
Place a flower in the huts of the lowly,
and you have given the barren mind
beauty to feed upon, that will in time teach
ever so coarse a nature, the loving touch of
the Master’s hand.
The Ideal Mind, paints in dainty flower
words, that the non-expressive may wholly
understand.
Every heart stands alone, in the sacred
sanctuary of a great sorrow.
Sincerity imparts a charm more potent
than wealth or power.