URSULA. Goodnight, my children. Here's the light. And do not forget to say your prayers Before you sleep.
GOTTLIEB.
Good night!
MAX and BERTHA.
Good night!
They go out with ELSIE.
URSULA, spinning. She is a strange and wayward child, That Elsie of ours. She looks so old, And thoughts and fancies weird and wild Seem of late to have taken hold Of her heart, that was once so docile and mild!
GOTTLIEB. She is like all girls.
URSULA.
Ah no, forsooth!
Unlike all I have ever seen.
For she has visions and strange dreams,
And in all her words and ways, she seems
Much older than she is in truth.
Who would think her but fifteen?
And there has been of late such a change!
My heart is heavy with fear and doubt
That she may not live till the year is out.
She is so strange,—so strange,—so strange!
GOTTLIEB. I am not troubled with any such fear; She will live and thrive for many a year.