Katie. Oh no; carp is not too good for you, though it may be good enough--and do you know I will prepare a special Polish sauce--but Miss Gertrude--she must have deep sea fish. Now will you see Madame about that, please? Marie. Very well, I will speak to mama about it. Katie. And you are not offended? Marie. Oh no! Katie. For, after all, you know, you are only a foundling. Marie. Oh yes, I know. Katie. But we all love you, Miss Marie, and---- Marie. Thank you. But have you seen Mr. von Harten this morning? Katie. No, I have not! But I have some good news for you--the assistant pastor has fallen deeply in love with you. Marie. Yes? Katie. And he is going to ask for your hand!!! I always said you were a lucky girl. Just think, you may be a St. John's-bride. Marie. And what is a St. John's-bride? Katie. _You_ don't know that, Miss Marie? Well, I'll tell you. It is written in the new seal of Solomonis: "Whoever shall give or receive their first kiss on St. John's eve, their love is sealed and they will be faithful unto death." So it is written in the new seal of Solomonis. Gertrude. [_Enter C., hands behind her, with bouquet_.] Marie, I have something for you. No, first I want Katie to leave the room. Go now, go!!! Katie. Oh, I am going--I am going!!!!!!!!! [_Exit_.] Gertrude. Shut your eyes now! [Marie _does so, as_ Gertrude _holds bouquet to_ Marie's _face_.] Now what is it? Marie. The tulip-tree! the first blossoms from our manzanillo-tree! It blooms--it blooms!!! [_Burying her face in the flowers_.] Gertrude. Are you glad, Marie? Marie. Yes, darling, so glad!!! Thank you! Gertrude. And do you know who picked them?--George! Marie. For me? Gertrude. Why, of course, for you! Marie. He--did this--for me? Gertrude. He would do even more than that for me, I am sure! Marie. Oh yes, certainly! But where is he now? Gertrude. I don't know! Marie. Did he say he had to go somewhere? Gertrude.