[_Aside_.] What is the matter with her? [_Exit_. _Enter_ Mrs. Schwartze. MRS. SCHWARTZE. Well, Marie, whatever happens I've put on my other cap,--the one with the ribbons. Is it straight? MARIE. Yes, mamma dear, very nice. MRS. SCHWARTZE. Hasn't Aunt Frankie come up yet? MARIE. No. MRS. SCHWARTZE. Heavens! I forgot the two gentlemen entirely. And papa has locked himself up, and will hear nothing and see nothing. Oh, if the General should be offended! It is our most aristocratic connection. That would be a misfortune indeed. MARIE. Oh, mamma dear, when he hears what is the matter! MRS. SCHWARTZE. Yes, yes, I know. And the pastor has not come either. Marie, one minute. If she should ask you-- MARIE. Who? MRS. SCHWARTZE. Why, Magda. MARIE. Magda! MRS. SCHWARTZE. What am I to you, Marie? They call it stepmother. I'm more than that, am I not? MARIE. Certainly, mamma dear. MRS. SCHWARTZE. You see, then I could not get used to having two such big daughters. But it's all right now? [Marie _nods_.] And we do love each other? MARIE. Very much, mamma dear. [_She kisses her_.] _Enter_ Franziska. FRANZISKA. [_Irritably_.] One's always disturbing these affecting tableaux! MRS. SCHWARTZE. What did the General say? FRANZISKA. The General? H'm, he was angry enough. "To leave us alone for an hour and a half, that's nice courtesy," he said. And I think myself-- MRS. SCHWARTZE. [_To_ Marie, _very sadly_.] There, what did I tell you? FRANZISKA. Well, this time I smoothed the thing over, so that the gentlemen went away in a good humor. MRS. SCHWARTZE. Really! Oh, I thank you, Frankie, a thousand times. FRANZISKA. Yes, I'm good enough to run errands and play the scullery-maid; but when it comes to being one of the family, an old aunt with her heart full of love-- MARIE. Who has offended you, Aunt Frankie? FRANZISKA. Yes, that's very fine. But a little while ago, when I was so upset, no one troubled himself about me one bit. To guarantee an income so that our little miss can be married, I am-- MARIE. Aunt Frankie! FRANZISKA. But as long as I live--