Here she is herself.
[_Exit as soon as_ ADELAIDE _enters_.]
_Enter_ ADELAIDE _and_ KORB _through the door on the right_.
ADELAIDE (_to_ KORB).
You had better remain near the garden gate, and when the said young
man comes bring him to us.
[_Exit_ KORB.]
Good-morning, Colonel.
[_Going up to him and examining him gaily_.]
How is the weather today?
COLONEL.
Gray, girl, gray and stormy. Vexation and grief are buzzing round in
my head until it is fit to burst. How is the child?
ADELAIDE.
Better. She was wise enough to fall asleep toward morning. Now she is
sad, but calm.
COLONEL.
This very calmness annoys me. If she would only once shriek and tear
her hair a bit! It would be horrible, but there would be something
natural about it. It is this smiling and then turning away to dry
secret tears that makes me lose my composure. It is unnatural in my
child.
ADELAIDE.
Possibly she knows her father's kind heart better than he does
himself; possibly she still has hopes.
COLONEL.
Of what? Of a reconciliation with him? After what has happened a
reconciliation between Oldendorf and myself is out of the question.
ADELAIDE (_aside_).
I wonder if he wants me to contradict him!
_Enter_ KORB.
KORB (_to_ ADELAIDE).
The gentleman has come.
ADELAIDE.
I will ring.
[_Exit_ KORB.]
Help me out of a little dilemma. I have to speak with a strange young
man who seems in need of help, and I should like to have you stay near
me.
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