That is very good of you.
(_Old Soldier dusts her shoes_).
Thank you; now I will go to my carriage while you dust Karen's shoes.
[_She goes._]
OLD SOLDIER. Stretch out your foot, little Karen.
(_Karen thrusts out her foot._)
What is this? Red shoes for church?
KAREN. I looked at my old black shoes--
OLD SOLDIER (_interrupting_). And then at your new red ones?
KAREN (_nodding_). Yes, and then at my black ones again--
OLD SOLDIER (_interrupting_). And then put on your red ones!
KAREN. Sh-h! Grandmother must not know.
OLD SOLDIER. She can't hear, for I am talking through my long red beard.
KAREN. Why is your beard so red, Old Soldier?
OLD SOLDIER. To make more light for my eyes--that I may see without
looking.
KAREN. See without looking?
OLD SOLDIER (_nodding_). I was not in the church, yet I saw you clearly
when you knelt at the altar and raised the golden cup to your lips.
KAREN (_surprised_). You saw that?
OLD SOLDIER (_nodding_). And more--I saw your thoughts.
KAREN. You saw my thoughts?
OLD SOLDIER (_nodding_). It was to you as if your red shoes passed before
your eyes in the cup. Am I not right?
KAREN (_showing fear_). Y-e-s--
OLD SOLDIER.
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