I'm off to the front any day
now. Come, promise me! What do you say, Mother?
_Mother:_ [_Slowly._]
I should like to see her wed.
_Hoffman:_
There!
_Amelia:_ [_Shrinking from both him and the idea._]
But I don't know you well enough yet.
_Hoffman:_
Well, look me over. Don't you think I am good enough for her, Mother?
Besides, we can't stop to think of such things now, Amelia. It is
war-time. This is an emergency measure. And, then, I'm a soldier--like
to die for my country. That ought to count for something--a good deal, I
should say--if you love your country, and you do, don't you, Amelia?
_Amelia:_
Oh, yes!
_Hoffman:_
Well, then, we can get married and get acquainted afterward.
_Amelia:_ [_Faintly._]
I wanted to be a nurse.
_Hoffman:_
Nonsense! Pretty girls like you should marry. The priests and the
generals have commanded it. It's for the fatherland. Ought she not to
wed me, Mother?
_Mother:_ [_Nodding impersonally._]
Aye, it is for the fatherland they ask it.
_Hoffman:_
Of course. It is your patriotic duty, Amelia. You're funny. All the
young women are tickled at the chance.
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