KUNZE (rises). Ladies and gentlemen! Before sitting down at the board, to regale ourselves with food and drink, does it not involve upon us to devote a few words to the memory of the beloved deceased, whose mortal remains we have today conducted to the last resting place. And how can we do that more fittingly, ladies and gentlemen, than by recalling the words recorded in holy writ. Ladies and gentlemen, what are the words of the psalmist? The days of our years are three-score years and ten; and if, by reason of strength, they be four-score years, yet is their strength labor and sorrow; for it is soon cut off and we fly away! Ladies and gentlemen! He who no longer dwells in our midst in the body, but whose spirit is looking down upon all of us, the beloved deceased, may he rest in peace. [Silence. Short pause as they continue to eat.] LASKOWSKI (the first to finish his soup, leans back). A soup like that does warm a fellow up. VON TIEDEMANN. Especially when you have been out in your sleigh for nearly two hours. LASKOWSKI. And then a full hour at the cemetery on top of it. MRS. VON TIEDEMANN (quickly). But the sermon was really touching. From the very heart. Any one who had known the dead man ... LASKOWSKI. Not a soul kept from crying! VON TIEDEMANN. Yes, remarkably beautiful! LASKOWSKI. A fellow forgot all about being hungry. MRS. BOROWSKI (leans over to PAUL). Are they talking about the sermon? PAUL (aloud). Yes, Mrs. Borowski. MRS. BOROWSKI. I didn't understand very much. PAUL (courteously). At your age, Mrs. Borowski! MERTENS (in an undertone to MRS. VON TIEDEMANN). Who is she? MRS. VON TIEDEMANN. It's the widow of the former teacher at the estate here. MERTENS. She seems to hail from the days of the French occupation! VON TIEDEMANN. _Does_ she? She has at least eighty years on her back. MERTENS. But is well preserved. MRS. BOROWSKI (to PAUL). I say, Mr. Warkentin, I knew your father when he was no bigger than ... (Holding her hand not far from the ground.) PAUL (subdued). Fifty years ago? MRS. BOROWSKI. Oh, it's longer than that. Almost sixty. I saw them all grow up. Now I'm almost the only one left from those times. LASKOWSKI (leans over toward her with his glass). Well, here's to you Auntie!... You don't drink very much any more I suppose? (He drinks.) MRS. BOROWSKI. Oh, indeed! I am still able to take a glass. PAUL. Come, Mrs. Borowski, let me help you. (He fills her glass.) MRS. BOROWSKI. When I was young I never caught sight of wine. Now that I'm old I have more than I can drink. LASKOWSKI. Drink ahead, Auntie! Drink ahead! Wine makes you young! MRS. BOROWSKI. You know, your good wife is always sending me some. LASKOWSKI (nonplussed). I do say, dearie, why, I don't know a thing about that. [ANTOINETTE silently shrugs her shoulders and casts a quick glance at him.] LASKOWSKI (friendly again). Makes no difference, dearie, no difference at all! Just send ahead! We do have a lot of it.