WENDLA--Fourteen and a half. DR. VON BRAUSEPULVER--I have been prescribing Blaud’s pills for fifteen years, and in a great many cases have observed the most inspiring improvement. I prefer them to cod-liver oil or tonics with iron. Begin with three to four pills per day, and increase the quantity as fast as you can assimilate it. I had prescribed for the Baroness Elfriede von Witzleben an increase of one pill every third day. The Baroness misunderstood me and increased the dose three pills each day. In less than three weeks the Baroness was able to go to Pyrmont with her lady mother to complete the cure. Tiring walks and extra meals we can dispense with. Instead, promise me, my dear, that you will try to move about all the more energetically, and not be ashamed to ask for nourishment as soon as your appetite reappears. Then these oppressed feelings round the heart will soon pass off--and the headache, the chills, the dizziness--and our terrible bilious attacks. Baroness Elfriede von Witzleben within a week of beginning the cure was enjoying a whole broiled chicken with baked new potatoes for breakfast. MRS. BERGMANN--May I offer you a glass of wine, Doctor? DR. VON BRAUSEPULVER--Thank you, dear Mrs. Bergmann, my carriage is waiting. Don’t take it so much to heart. In a few weeks our dear little patient will be as fresh and lively again as a gazelle,--be sure of it!--Good day, Mrs. Bergmann. Good day, my dear. Good day, ladies. Good day. [_He goes, accompanied by_ MRS. BERGMANN.] INA--[_At the window._] Well, your plane-tree is turning already--quite gay again. Can you see it from your bed?--A brief display, hardly worth being glad about, as one watches it come and go.--I must be going soon now, too. August will be waiting for me at the post office, and I must see the dressmaker first. Mucki is getting his first little trousers, and Karl is to have some new leggings for the winter. WENDLA--Often I feel so happy, Ina!--all gladness and sunshine. I wouldn’t have dreamed that anyone could feel so blissful round the heart. I want to go out and walk across the meadows in the evening glow and hunt for primroses along the river, and sit down at the bank and dream.... And then comes the =toothache=, and I think I must be going to die first thing in the morning: I get hot and cold, everything goes black before my eyes, and then the uncanny thing flutters in me.--Every time I wake up I see mother crying. Oh, that hurts me so--I can’t tell you, Ina! INA--Hadn’t I better lift your pillow higher? MRS. BERGMANN--[_Coming back._] He thinks the nausea will get better too; and then you can just quietly get up again.... It’s my belief too that it’ll be better if you get up again soon, Wendla. INA--By the next time I drop in, perhaps you’ll be dancing round the house again.--Good-bye, mother. I’ve just got to get to the dressmaker’s. God keep you, Wendla dear. [_Kisses her._] Get better very, very soon.