Hedwig: [Firmly.]
You may read the message out loud.
[She disappears into the room, still pressing the little sock to her lips.]
Hertz: [Reading the note.]
"A Message to the Emperor: I refuse to bear my child until you promise there shall be no more war."
[A shot is fired in the bedroom. They rush into the room. The Mother stands trembling by the table.]
Hertz: [Awed, coming out of the room with the baby things, which he places on the table.]
Dead! Tcha! tcha! she was mad. I will hush it up, Maria.
[He tears up Hedwig's message to the emperor, and goes out of the house, shaking his head. Amelia is kneeling in the doorway of the bedroom, bending over something, and softly crying. The Mother slowly gathers up the pieces of Hedwig's message and the baby garments, now dashed with blood, and, sitting on the bench, holds them tight against her breast, staring straight in front of her, her lips moving inaudibly. She closes her eyes and rocks to and fro, still muttering and praying.]