_Mother:_ [_After a few moments composes herself._] There, I am right now. I must remember--and you must help me, my daughters--it is for the fatherland. _Hedwig:_ [_On her knees by the fire, shakes her head slowly._] I wonder, I wonder. O Mother, I'm not patient like you. I couldn't stand it. To have a darling little baby and see him grow into a man, and then lose him like this! I'd rather never see the face of my child. _Mother:_ We have them for a little while. I am thankful to God for what I have had. _Hedwig:_ Then I must be very wicked. _Mother:_ Are you sleeping better now, child? _Hedwig:_ No; I am thinking of Franz. He may be lying there alone on the battle-field, with none to help, and I here longing to put my arms around him. [_Buries her face on the mother's knees and sobs._] _Mother:_ Hush, Hedwig! Be brave! Take care of yourself! We must see that Franz's child is well born. _Hedwig:_ If Franz returns, yes; if not--I-- [_Gets up impulsively, as if to run out of the house._] _Amelia:_ Don't you want your tea, Hedwig? [_Hedwig throws open the door, and suddenly confronts a man who apparently was about to enter the house. He is an official, the military head of the town, known as Captain Hertz. He is well along in years, rheumatic, but tremendously self-important._] _Hertz:_ [_Stopping Hedwig._] Wait one moment. You are the young woman I wish to see. You don't get away from me like that. _Hedwig:_ [_Drawing herself up, moves back a step or two._] What is it? _Hertz:_ [_Turning to the old mother._] Well, Maria, another son must go--Arno. You are an honored woman, a noble example to the state. [_Turns to Amelia._] You have lost a very good husband, I understand. Well, you are a foolish girl. As for you [_Turning to Hedwig, and eyeing her critically and severely_], I hear pretty bad things. Yes, you have been talking to the women--telling them not to marry, not to multiply. In so doing you are working directly against the Government. It is the express request and command that our soldiers about to be called to the front and our young women should marry. You deliberately set yourself in opposition to that command. Are you aware that that is treason? _Hedwig:_ Why are they asking this, Herr Captain? _Hertz:_ Our statesmen are wise. They are thinking of the future state. The nation is fast being depopulated. We must take precautionary measures. We must have men for the future. I warn you, that to do or say anything which subverts the plan of the empire for its own welfare, especially at a time when our national existence is in peril--well, it is treason. Were it not that you are the daughter-in-law of my old friend [_Indicating the Mother_], I should not take the trouble to warn you, but pack you off to jail at once. Not another word from you, you understand? _Hedwig:_ [_Calmly, even sweetly, but with fire in her eye._] If I say I will keep quiet, will you promise me something in return?