As she passes the cupboard she deftly seizes
the pistol, and moves into the bedroom. On the threshold she looks over
her shoulder._]
_Hedwig:_ [_Firmly._]
You may read the message out loud.
[_She disappears into the room, still pressing the little sock to her
lips._]
_Hertz:_ [_Reading the note._]
"A Message to the Emperor: I refuse to bear my child until you promise
there shall be no more war."
[_A shot is fired in the bedroom. They rush into the room. The Mother
stands trembling by the table._]
_Hertz:_ [_Awed, coming out of the room with the baby things, which he
places on the table._]
Dead! Tcha! tcha! she was mad. I will hush it up, Maria.
[_He tears up Hedwig's message to the emperor, and goes out of the
house, shaking his head. Amelia is kneeling in the doorway of the
bedroom, bending over something, and softly crying. The Mother slowly
gathers up the pieces of Hedwig's message and the baby garments, now
dashed with blood, and, sitting on the bench, holds them tight against
her breast, staring straight in front of her, her lips moving
inaudibly. She closes her eyes and rocks to and fro, still muttering and
praying.
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