Hilmar.
[On the verandah steps.] Good-morning, Betty! Good-morning, Bernick!
Mrs. Bernick.
Good-morning.
Hilmar.
Oh, you've been crying, I see. Then you've heard?
Mrs. Bernick.
Heard what?
Hilmar.
That the scandal is in full swing! Ugh!
Bernick.
What do you mean?
Hilmar.
[Coming into the room.] Why, that the two Americans are flaunting about the streets in company with Dina Dorf.
Mrs. Bernick.
[Also coming in.] Oh, Hilmar, is it possible?
Hilmar.
I can bear witness, worse luck! Lona had even the want of tact to call out to me; but I naturally pretended not to hear her.
Bernick.
And of course all this has not passed unnoticed.
Hilmar.
No; you may be sure it hasn't. People turned round and looked after them. It ran like wild-*fire over the town—like a fire on the Western
