Watch on the Rhine, Act 1 Summary

Pre-breakfast conversation between the nervous, dithery Fanny and the tart-tongued Anise reveals that Fanny's daughter Sara, who married a German and has lived in Europe for twenty years, is expected home with her family later that morning. As Fanny reflects on her love for her dead husband Joshua and on how unlike him David is, David finally saunters in. Fanny comments that the house is going to feel crowded, since the aristocratic Teck and Marthe (a childhood friend of Sara's) are also staying with them. As Fanny is hinting that David has been flirting with Marthe, Marthe comes in, ready for breakfast. As Fanny goes out (breakfast is being served on the terrace), Marthe and David discuss how nervous David is about seeing Sara after so long. At that point, as David goes to breakfast...