I don't know!

Marie.

Did he say he had to go somewhere?

Gertrude.

Yes, he had to go out on the fields, he said--and that was quite some time ago. I wanted to accompany him, I begged and begged, but he flatly refused to let me go.

Marie.

[Breathing heavily.] Oh!!!!!!!!

Gertrude.

I don't know how it is; but to-day he is acting so strangely. Papa has asked for him several times--and do you know, dear, at times he is not at all pleasant to me!

Marie.