_Mother:_ [_Sighs, and drops her load on the hearth._] Is the hay all in? _Amelia:_ Yes. I put in the last load. All the big work on our place is done, and so--[_Looks at her mother and hesitates. Her mother begins to chop the wood into kindling._] I'll do that, Mother. _Mother:_ Let be, girl. It keeps me from worrying. Get a bite to eat. What were you doing with that bag? Who were you packing it for? _Amelia:_ [_With downcast eyes._] Myself. _Mother:_ [_Anxious._] What for? _Amelia:_ Sit down, Mother, and be still while I tell you-- [_Pushes her mother into a chair._] _Mother:_ [_Starts._] Is there any news? Quick! Tell me! _Amelia:_ Not since yesterday. Only they say Franz is at the front. We don't know where Emil and Otto are, and there's been a battle; but-- _Mother:_ [_Murmurs, with closed eyes._] My boys! my boys! _Amelia:_ Don't, Mother! They may come back. [_A cheer is heard._] _Mother:_ [_Starting._] What's that? _Amelia:_ [_Running to the door and looking out._] They are cheering the war brides, that's all. _Mother:_ Aye. There's been another wedding ceremony. _Amelia:_ Yes. _Mother:_ How many war brides to-day? _Amelia:_ Ten, they said. _Mother:_ [_Nodding._] Aye, that is good. Has any one asked you, Amelia? [_Amelia looks embarrassed._] Some one should ask you. You are a good-looking girl. _Amelia:_ [_In a low voice._] Hans Hoffman asked me last night. _Mother:_ The young and handsome lieutenant? You are lucky. You said yes? _Amelia:_ [_Shakes her head._] No. _Mother:_ Ah, well. _Amelia:_ I hardly know him. I've only spoken to him once before. O Mother--that isn't what I want to do. _Mother:_ What did you tell him? _Amelia:_ [_Timidly._] That I was going away to join the Red Cross. _Mother:_ Amelia! _Amelia:_ He didn't believe me. He kissed me--and I ran away. _Mother:_ The Red Cross! _Amelia:_ [_Eagerly._] Yes; that is what I was going to tell you just now. That is why I was packing the bag. [_Gets it._] I--I want to go. I want to go to-night. I can't stand this waiting. _Mother:_ You leave me, too? _Amelia:_ I want to go to the front with Franz and Otto and Emil, to nurse them, to take care of them if they are wounded--and all the others. Let me, Mother! I, too, must do something for my country. The grapes are plucked, and the hay is stacked. Hedwig is gathering the wheat. You can spare me. I have been dreaming of it night and day. _Mother:_ [_Setting her lips decisively._] No, Amelia! _Amelia:_ O Mother, why? _Mother:_ You must help me with Hedwig. I can't manage her alone. _Amelia:_ Hedwig! _Mother:_ She is strange; she broods. Hadn't you noticed? _Amelia:_ Why, yes; but I thought she was worrying about Franz. She adores him, and any day she may hear that he is killed. It's the waiting that's so awful. _Mother:_