_MRS. FLAMM is an attractive, matronly woman of forty. She wears a smooth, black alpaca dress with a bodice of old-fashioned cut, a small cap of white lace on her head, a lace collar and soft lace cuffs which all but cover her emaciated, sensitive hands. A book and a handkerchief of delicate material lie in her lap. MRS. FLAMM'S features are not without magnanimity and impressiveness. Her eyes are light blue and piercing, her forehead high, her temples broad. Her hair, already gray and thin is plainly parted in the middle. From time to time she strokes it gently with her finger tips. The expression of her face betrays kindliness and seriousness without severity. About her eyes, her nose and her mouth there is a flicker of archness. MRS. FLAMM [_Looks thoughtfully out into the open, sighs, becomes absorbed in her book for a moment, then listens and closes her book after inserting a bookmark. Finally she turns toward the door and speaks in a slightly raised, sympathetic voice._] Whoever is out there ... come in! [_A tap is heard, the door to the hall is slightly opened and the head of old BERND is seen._] Well, who is it? Ah, that's father Bernd, our deacon and trustee. Come right in! I'm not going to bite you. BERND We was wantin' to speak to the squire. [_He enters, followed by AUGUST KEIL. Both are once more in their best clothes._ MRS. FLAMM Well, well, you do look solemn. BERND Good mornin', Missis. MRS. FLAMM Good day to you, father Bernd.--My husband was in his den there a minute ago. [_Referring to AUGUST._] And there is your future son-in-law too. BERND Yes, by God's help, Mrs. Flamm. MRS. FLAMM Well, then, do take a seat. I suppose you want to make official announcement of the marriage? It's to be at last. BERND Yes, thanks be to God; everythin' is in readiness now. MRS. FLAMM I'm glad o' that. This waiting leads to very little. If something is to be, then 'tis better to have it done! So the girl has made up her mind to it at last? BERND Yes. An' it's like takin' a stone off my heart. She has kept us all hangin' about this long time. Now she wants to hurry of her own free will. She'd rather have the weddin' to-day than to-morrow. MRS. FLAMM I'm very glad of that, Mr. Keil! Very glad, indeed, Bernd. Christie! I think my husband will be here presently! So this matter has been adjusted at last! Well, father Bernd, I think you ought to feel that you're lucky! You must be well content. BERND An' so I am! You're right indeed, Mrs. Flamm! Day before yesterday we talked it all over. An' God has given us an especial blessin' too. For August went to see the lady of Gnadau an' she was so extraordinar' kind-hearted as to loan him a thousand crowns. An' with that he can go an' buy the Lachmann house now. MRS. FLAMM