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Fräulein Rottenmeier: [reading] "The quality of a young lady's breeding is indicated by her deportment when elders are present. At such times, her manner should be sedate and diffident."
Klara Sesemann: It's time for them to be here, Fräulein!
Fräulein Rottenmeier: Remember, Klara, no excitement. You're still an invalid. "The habit of interruption should always be frowned upon. The well-bred young lady always waits until her elders are silent."
Klara Sesemann: I wonder what she'll be like.
Fräulein Rottenmeier: Your father expects a healthy, unspoiled mountain child of your age to share your studies. Personally, I think the whole plan is a mistake.
Klara Sesemann: Papa thought it might be good for me to have a playmate.
Fräulein Rottenmeier: But you have me. Don't I give you my entire time and devotion?
Klara Sesemann: Yes, and it's very kind of you, but I don't have much fun.
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Fräulein Rottenmeier: That's enough! You will take that impossible child back!
Dete: You'll have to give me more expense money then, and the fifty marks Herr Sesemann promised.
Fräulein Rottenmeier: You dare to speak to me like that? I'll not give you one pfennig.
Dete: You'd better. I've brought just the kind of child Herr Sesemann asked for. Unless you have your own reasons for not wanting her.
Fräulein Rottenmeier: Get out! And take your wretched niece with you!
Dete: All right, but you'll give me the money, or I'll write to Herr Sesemann. You think I don't know what your little game is? A rich widower and his sick child. You don't want Klara to get well, not yet, not until you've made him think his little darling can't live without you. Now you can get rid of the impossible child yourself! Sell her to the gypsies for all I care!
Helen Westley
Extended Reading
