AUNT CLARA (comes forward in the direction of the passage, inspects the whole arrangement and speaks to LENE who is occupied in the background, where she cannot be seen). Are all of the knives and forks properly arranged back there? LENE (not visible). Everything's in order, Miss Clara. AUNT CLARA. Why, then we are through. LENE. They can come right along now. AUNT CLARA. I can't help but think that it's time for the bell. (The old clock in the corridor outside begins to strike.) LENE (has come forward). It's striking twelve. AUNT CLARA. You're certain, are you, that the roast is being basted properly? LENE. Oh, Lizzie's looking after things. AUNT CLARA. The sermon seems to be pretty long. LENE. Oh, he can never find his finish. Miss Clara. AUNT CLARA. Let him talk, for all I care! Only I might have put off the dinner. LENE (listens). Now the bell is ringing. (Distant, indistinct tones of a church bell are heard.) AUNT CLARA (also listens). Yes, they are ringing. Then it is over. (She folds her hands as if in prayer.) LENE (timidly). Now the coffin's in the ground, ain't it, Miss Clara? AUNT CLARA (murmurs). God grant him eternal peace! LENE (also with hands folded). Amen! AUNT CLARA (continues murmuring). And light everlasting shine for him! LENE (as before). Amen! AUNT CLARA (partly to herself). I _should_ have been glad to pay him the last honor, but it _was_ impossible. What would have become of the roast? We shall see each other in the next world anyhow. It will not be _very_ long! LENE (comforting her). Oh, Miss Clara. AUNT CLARA (seizes her arm). Don't stand there! Do your work! They will surely be here directly, (Counts the places.) Six ... eight ... twelve ... sixteen ... eighteen ... twenty ... twenty-two ... LENE. That's the number. There are eight sleighs. AUNT CLARA. Go and open the door of the green room! LENE (goes off to the left). What _will_ Mrs. Warkentin say to that? AUNT CLARA. _I_ will attend to that. It can't be helped today. We shall have to use the rooms for our coffee later. LENE (returns). She'll make a nice fuss! AUNT CLARA. Off with you now. They are coming. Take the ladies and gentlemen into the front rooms until we have the dinner on the table. Then you can go and call them. LENE. Very well, Miss Clara. (Quickly off to the right.) [Short pause, during which AUNT CLARA stands listening. Then HELLA enters from the right, dressed in black.] HELLA (with a quick glance to the left, then to AUNT CLARA who has retreated to the background). What is the matter with my room? Why are the doors open? AUNT CLARA. The guests certainly must have some place where they can relax a bit, later on. HELLA (nonplussed). In my rooms? AUNT CLARA. They surely can't sit around in this one place the whole afternoon. They must take their coffee _some_where. HELLA (from the left). Why I _do_ say ...! Really! All of my books are gone!