You ain't goin' to be scared of a woman? If she scolds, scold harder; an' if she beats you, beat her back. Come here now—you're taller'n me—get me down them things off the shelf. An' Julius, you get the sleigh ready! [JULIUS exit.] How often have I got to tell you? [MITTELDORF has taken cords and pulley lines front the high shelf on the wall.] Get ready the big sleigh! You c'n hand them cords right down to him.
[From without.] I can't see!
What can't you do?
[Appears in the doorway.] I can't get that sleigh out alone! Everythin' is all mixed up in a heap here. An' there ain't nothin' to be done without a light.
Now you're helpless again—like always. [Rapidly she puts shawls about her head and chest.] You must wait, I'll come an' lend a hand. There's the lantern, Mitteldorf. [_MITTELDORF slowly takes a lantern and hands it to MRS. WOLFF.] There! thank you. [She puts the burning candle into the lantern.] We'll put that in here an' then we c'n go. Now I'll help you drag out the sleigh. [She goes ahead with the lantern. MITTELDORF follows her. In the door she turns around and hands the lantern to MITTELDORF.] You c'n come an' hold the light for us a bit!
[Holding the light and humming to himself:]
"Morningre-ed, morningre-ed …"
Court room of Justice VON WEHRHAHN. A great, bare, white-washed room with three windows in the rear wall. The main door is in the left wall. Along the wall to the right stands the long official table covered with books, legal documents, etc.; behind it the chair of the justice. Near the centre window are the clerk's chair and table. To the right is a bookcase of white wood, so arranged that it is within reach of the justice when he sits in his chair. The left wall is hidden by cases containing documents. In the foreground, beginning at the wall to the left, six chairs stand in a row. Their occupants would be seen by the spectator from behind.—It is a bright forenoon in Winter. The clerk GLASENAPP sits scribbling at his table. He is a poverty-stricken, spectacled person. Justice VON WEHRHAHN, carrying a roll of documents under his arm, enters rapidly. WEHRHAHN is about forty years old and wears a monocle. He makes the impression of a son of the landed nobility of Prussia. His official garb consists of a buttoned, black walking coat, and very tall boots put on over his trousers. He speaks in what is almost a falsetto voice and carefully cultivates a military brevity of expression.
[By the way, like one crushed by the weight of affairs.] Mornin'.
Servant, sir.
Anything happened, Glasenapp?
[Standing and looking through some papers.] I've got to report, your honour—there was first, oh, yes,—the innkeeper Fiebig. He begs for permission, your honour, to have music and dancing at his inn next Sunday.
Isn't that … perhaps you can tell me. Fiebig? There was some one who recently rented his hall…?
To the liberals. Quite right, your honour.
This same Fiebig?
Yes, my lord.
We'll have to put a check-rein on him for a while.
The constable MITTELDORF enters.
Servant, my lord.
Listen here: once and for all—officially I am simply the justice.
Yes, sir. As you wish, my—your honour, I meant to say.
I wish you would try to understand this fact: my being a baron is purelyby the way. Is not, at all events, to be considered here. [ToGLASENAPP.] Now I'd like to hear further, please. Wasn't the authorMotes here?
Yes, your honour.
Aha! So hewashere! I confess that I am very curious. I hope that it was his intention to come back?
He intended to be back here about half past eleven.
Did he by any chance tell you anything?
He came in the matter of Dr. Fleischer.
Well, now, you may as well tell me—are you acquainted with this Dr.Fleischer?
All I know is that he lives in the Villa Krueger.
And how long has he been living in this place?
Well, I've been here since Michaelmas.
To be sure, you came here at the same time with me; about four months ago.
[Looking toward MITTELDORF for information.] From what I hear the man has been living here about two years.
[To MITTELDORF.] I don't suppose you can give us any information?
Beggin' your pardon, he came Michaelmas a year ago.
At that time he moved here?
Exactly, your honour—from Berlin.
Have you any more intimate information about this individual?
All I know is his brother is cashier of a theatre.
I didn't ask for information concerning his brother! What is his occupation?—What does he himself do? What is he?
I don't know as I can say anythin' particular. People do say that he's sick. I suppose he suffers from diabetes.
I'm quite indifferent as to the character of his malady. He can sweat syrup if it amuses him.Whatis he?
[Shrugging his shoulders.] He calls himself a free spear in scholarship.
Lance! Lance! Not spear! A free lance.
The bookbinder Hugk always does work for him; he has some books bound every week.
I wouldn't mind seeing what an individual of that kind reads.
The postman thinks he must take in about twenty newspapers. Democratic ones, too.
You may summon Hugk to this court some time.
Right away?
No, at a more convenient time. To-morrow or the next day. Let him bring a few of the books in question with him. [To MITTELDORF.] You seem to take naps all day. Or perhaps the man has good cigars and knows how to invest them!
Your honour…!
Never mind! Never mind! I will inspect the necessary persons myself. My honourable predecessor has permitted a state of affairs to obtain that…! We will change all that by degrees—It is simply disgraceful for a police official to permit himself to be deceived by any one. That is, of course, entirely beyond your comprehension. [To GLASENAPP.] Didn't Motes say anything definite?
I can't say that he did—nothing definite. He was of the opinion that your honour was informed….
In a very general way, I am. I have had my eye on the man in question for some time—on this Dr. Fleischer I mean. Mr. Motes simply confirmed me in my own entirely correct judgment of his peculiar character.—What kind of a reputation has Motes himself? [GLASENAPP andMITTELDORF exchange glances and GLASENAPP shrugs his shoulders._] Lives largely on credit, eh?
He says he has a pension.
Pension?
Well, you know he got shot in the eye.
So his pension is really paid as damages.
Beggin' your honour's pardon, but if it's a question of damages the man inflicts more than he's ever received. Nobody's ever seen him have a penny for anything.
[Amused.] Is there anything else of importance?
Nothing but minor matters, your honour—somebody giving notice—
That'll do; that'll do. Do you happen ever to have heard any reports to the effect that this Dr. Fleischer does not guard his tongue with particular care?
Not that I know of at this moment.
Because that is the information that has come to me. He is said to have made illegal remarks concerning a number of exalted personages. However, all that will appear in good time. We can set to work now. Mitteldorf, have you anything to report?
They tell me that a theft has been committed during the night.
A theft? Where?
In the Villa Krueger.
What has been stolen?
Some firewood.
Last night, or when?
Just last night.
From whom does your information come?
My information? It come from … from….
Well, from whom? Out with it!
I heard it from—I got it from Dr. Fleischer.
Aha! You're in the habit then of conversing with him?
Mr. Krueger told me about it himself too.
The man is a nuisance with his perpetual complaints. He writes me about three letters a week. Either he has been cheated, or some one has broken his fence, or else some one has trespassed on his property. Nothing but one annoyance after another.
[Enters. He laughs almost continually in a nervous way.] Beg to bid you a good morning, your honour.
Ah, there you are. Very glad you came in. You can help me out with some information at once. A theft is said to have been committed at the Villa Krueger.
I don't live there any longer.
And nothing has come to your ears either?
Oh, I heard something about it, but nothing definite. As I was just passing by the Villa I saw them both looking for traces in the snow.
Is that so? Dr. Fleischer is assisting him. I take it for granted then that they're pretty thick together?
Inseparable in every sense, your honour.
Aha! As far as Fleischer is concerned—he interests me most of all. Take a seat, please. I confess that I didn't sleep more than half the night. This matter simply wouldn't let me sleep. The letter that you wrote me excited me to an extraordinary degree.—That is a matter of temperament, to be sure. The slumbers of my predecessor would scarcely have been disturbed.—As far as I am concerned I have made up my mind, so to speak, to go the whole way.—It is my function here to make careful tests and to exterminate undesirable elements.—Under the protection of my honourable predecessor the sphere of our activity has become a receptacle for refuse of various kinds: lives that cannot bear the light—outlawed individuals, enemies of royalty and of the realm. These people must be made to suffer.—As for yourself, Mr. Motes, you are an author?
I write on subjects connected with forestry and game.
In the appropriate technical journals, I take it.A propos: do you manage to make a living that way?
If one is well known, it can be done. I may gratefully say that I earn an excellent competency.
So you are a forester by profession?
I studied at the academy, your honour, and pursued my studies in Eberswalde. Shortly before the final examinations I met with this misfortune….
Ah, yes; I see you wear a bandage.
I lost an eye while hunting. Some bird shot flew into my right eye. The responsibility for the accident could not, unfortunately, be placed. And so I had to give up my career.
Then you do not receive a pension?
No. But I have fought my way through pretty well now. My name is getting to be known in a good many quarters.
H-m.—Are you by any chance acquainted with my brother-in-law?
Yes, indeed—Chief Forester von Wachsmann. I correspond a good deal with him and furthermore we are fellow members of the society for the breeding of pointers.
[Somewhat relieved.] Ah, so you are really acquainted with him? I'm very glad indeed to hear that. That makes the whole matter easier of adjustment and lays a foundation for mutual confidence. It serves to remove any possible obstacle.—You wrote me in your letter, you recall, that you had had the opportunity of observing this Dr. Fleischer. Now tell me, please, what you know.
[Coughs.] When I—about a year ago—took up my residence in the Villa Krueger, I had naturally no suspicion of the character of the people with whom I was to dwell under one roof.
Yon were acquainted with neither Krueger nor Fleischer?
No; but you know how things go. Living in one house with them I couldn't keep to myself entirely.
And what kind of people visited the house?
[With a significant gesture.] Ah!
I understand.
Tom, Dick and Harry—democrats, of course.
Were regular meetings held?
Every Thursday, so far as I could learn.
That will certainly bear watching.—And you no longer associate with those people?
A point was reached where intercourse with them became impossible, your honour.
You were repelled, eh?
The whole business became utterly repulsive to me.
The unlawful atmosphere that obtained there, the impudent jeering at exalted personages—all that, I take it, you could no longer endure?
I stayed simply because I thought it might serve some good purpose.
But finally you gave notice after all?
I moved out, yes, your honour.
And finally you made up your mind to—
I considered it my duty—
To lodge notice with the authorities.—I consider that very worthy in you.—So he used a certain kind of expression—we will make a record of all that later, of course—a certain kind of expression in reference to a personage whose exalted station demands our reverence.
He certainly did that, your honour.
You would be willing, if necessary, to confirm that by oath.
I would be willing to confirm it.
In fact, you will be obliged to make such confirmation.
Yes, your honour.
Of course it would be best if we could procure an additional witness.
I would have to look about. The trouble is, though, that the man is very prodigal of his money.
Ah, just wait a minute. Krueger is coming in now. I will first attend to his business. At all events I am very grateful to you for your active assistance. One is absolutely dependent on such assistance if one desires to accomplish anything nowadays.
[Enters hastily and excitedly.] O Lord, O Lord! Good day, your honour.
[To MOTES.] Pardon me just a moment. [In an arrogant and inquisitorial tone to KRUEGER.] What is it you want?
KRUEGER is a small man, somewhat hard of hearing and nearly seventy years old. He is slightly bowed with age; his left shoulder hangs somewhat. Otherwise he is still very vigorous and emphasises his remarks by violent gesticulations. He wears a fur cap which he is now holding in his hand, a brown winter overcoat and a thick woolen shawl around his neck.
[Literally charged with rage, explodes:] I've been robbed, your honour.
[Getting his breath, he wipes the perspiration from his forehead with a handkerchief and, after the manner of people with impaired hearing, stares straight at the mouth of the justice.
Robbed, eh?
[Already exasperated.] Robbed is what I said. I have been robbed. Two whole loads of wood have been stolen from me.
[Looking around at those present, half-smiling, says lightly:] Not the least thing of that kind has happened here recently.
[Putting his hand to his ear.] What? Not the slightest thing? Then perhaps I came into this office for fun?
You need not become violent. What is your name, by the way?
[Taken aback.] My name?
Yes, your name!
So my name isn't known to you? I thought we had had the pleasure before.
Sorry. Can't say that I have a clear recollection. And that wouldn't matter officially anyhow.
[Resignedly.] My name is Krueger.
Capitalist by any chance?
[With extreme and ironic vehemence.] Exactly—capitalist and houseowner here.
Identify yourself, please.
I—Identify myself! My name is Krueger. I don't think we need go to any further trouble. I've been living here for thirty years. Every child in the place knows me.
The length of your residence here doesn't concern me. It is my business merely to ascertain your identity. Is this gentleman known to you—Mr. Motes?
MOTES half rises with an angry expression.
Ah, yes, I understand. Kindly sit down. Well, Glasenapp?
Yes, at your service. It is Mr. Krueger all right.
Very well.—So you have been robbed of wood?
Of wood, exactly. Two loads of pine wood.
Did you have the wood stored in your shed?
[Growing violent again.] That's quite a separate matter. That's the substance of another complaint I have to make.
[With an ironic laugh and looking at the others.] Still another one?
What do you mean?
Nothing. You may go ahead with your statement. The wood, it appears, was not in your shed?
The wood was in the garden, that is, in front of the garden.
In other words: it lay in the street.
It lay in front of the garden on my property.
So that any one could pick it up without further ado?
And that is just the fault of the servant-girl. She was to take the wood in last night.
And it dropped out of her mind.
She refused to do it. And when I insisted on her doing it, she ended by running away. I intend to bring suit against her parents. I intend to claim full damages.
You may do about that as you please. It isn't likely to help you very greatly.—Now is there any one whom you suspect of the theft?
No. They're all a set of thieves around here.
You will please to avoid such general imputations. You must surely be able to offer me a clue of some kind.
Well, you can't expect me to accuse any one at random.
Who lives in your house beside yourself?
Dr. Fleischer.
[As if trying to recall something.] Dr. Fleischer? Dr. Fleischer? Why, he is a—What is he, anyhow?
He is a thoroughly learned man, that's what he is—thoroughly learned.
And I suppose that you and he are very intimate with each other.
That is my business, with whom I happen to be intimate. That has no bearing on the matter in hand, it seems to me.
How is one to discover anything under such circumstances? You must give me a hint, at least!
Must I? Goodness, gracious me! Must I? Two loads of wood have been stolen from me! I simply come to give information concerning the theft….
But you must have a theory of some kind. The wood must necessarily have been stolen by somebody.
Wha…. Yes … well, I didn't do it! I of all people didn't do it!
But my dear man….
Wha…? My name is Krueger.
[Interrupting and apparently bored.] M-yes.—Well, Glasenapp, just make a record of the facts.—And now, Mr. Krueger, what's this business about your maid? The girl, you say, ran away?
Yes, that's exactly what she did—ran off to her parents.
Do her parents live in this place?
[Not having heard correctly.] I'm not concerned with her face.
I asked whether the parents of the girl live here?
She's the daughter of the washerwoman Wolff.
Wolff—the same one who's washing for us today, Glasenapp?
The same, your honour.
[Shaking his head.] Very strange indeed!—She's a very honest and a very industrious woman.—[To KRUEGER.] Is that a fact? Is she the daughter of the woman in question?
She is the daughter of the washerwoman Wolff.
And has the girl come back?
Up to the present time the girl has not come back.
Then suppose we call in Mrs. Wolff herself. Mitteldorf! You act as though you were very tired. Well, go across the yard. Mrs. Wolff is to come to me at once. I beg you to be seated, Mr. Krueger.
[Sitting down and sighing.] O Lord! O Lord! What a life!
[Softly to GLASENAPP and MOTES.] I'm rather curious to see what will develop. There's something more than meets the eye in all this. I think a great deal of Mrs. Wolff. The woman works enough for four men. My wife assures me that if Wolff doesn't come she has to hire two women in her place.—Her opinions aren't half bad either.
She wants her daughters to go on the operatic stage….
Oh, of course, she may have a screw loose in that respect. But that's no fault of character. What have you hanging there, Mr. Motes?
They're some wire snares. I'm taking them to the forester Seidel.
Do let me see one of those things. [He takes one and looks at it closely.] And in these things the poor beasts are slowly throttled to death.
MRS. WOLFF enters, followed by MITTELDORF. She is drying her hands, which are still moist from the wash tub.
[Unembarrassed, cheerfully, with a swift glance at the snares.] Here I am. What's up now? What'm I bein' wanted for?
Mrs. Wolff, is this gentleman known to you?
Which one of 'em? [Pointing with her finger at KRUEGER.] This here, this is Mr. Krueger. I guess I know him all right. Good mornin', Mr. Krueger.
Your daughter is in Mr. Krueger's service?
Who? My daughter? That's so—Leontine. [To KRUEGER.] But then, she run away from you, didn't she?
[Enraged.] She did indeed.
[Interrupting.] Now wait a moment.
What kind o' trouble did you have together?
Mrs. Wolff, you listen to me. Your daughter must return to Mr. Krueger at once.
Oh, no, we'd rather keep her at home now.
That can't be done quite so easily as you think. Mr. Krueger has the right, if he wishes to exert it, of calling in the help, of the police. In that case we would have to take your daughter back by force.
But my husband just happened to take it into his head. He's just made up his mind not to let the girl go no more. An' when my husband takes a notion like that into his head…. The trouble is: all you men has such awful tempers!
Suppose you let that go, for the moment, Mrs. Wolff. How long has your daughter been, at home?
She came back last night.
Last night? Very well. She had been told to carry wood into the shed and she refused.
Eh, is that so? Refused? That girl o' mine don't refuse to do work. An' I wouldn't advise her to do that kind o' thing neither.
You hear what Mrs. Wolff says.
That girl has always been a willin' girl. If she'd ever refused to lend a hand….
She simply refused to carry in the wood!
Yes, drag in wood! At half past ten at night! People who asks such a thing of a child like that—
The essential thing, however, Mrs. Wolff, is this: the wood was left out over night and has been stolen. And so….
[Losing self-control.] You will replace that wood, Mrs. Wolff.
All that remains to be seen, if you will wait.
You will indemnify me for that wood to the last farthing!
An' is that so? That'd be a new way o' doin' things! Did I, maybe, go an' steal your wood?
You had better let the man calm down, Mrs. Wolff.
No, when Mr. Krueger comes round me with things like that, payin' for wood and such like, he ain't goin' to have no luck. I always been friendly with them people—that's sure. Nobody can't complain o' nothin' 'sfar 's I'm concerned. But if things gets to this point, then I'd rather up and says my say just exactly how I feel, you know. I do my dooty and that's enough. There ain't nobody in the whole village what c'n say anythin' against me. But I ain't goin' to letnobodywalk all over me!
You need not wear yourself out, Mrs. Wolff. You have absolutely no cause for it. Just remain calm, quite calm. You're not entirely unknown to me, after all. There isn't a human being who would undertake to deny your industry and honesty. So let us hear what you have to say in answer to the plaintiff.
The woman can't possibly have anything to say!
Hol' on, now, everybody! How's that, I'd like to know? Ain't the girl my daughter? An' I'm not to have anythin' to say! You gotta go an' look for some kind of a fool! You don't know much about me. I don't has to hide what I thinks from no one—no, not from his honour hisself, an' a good deal less from you, you may take your oath on that!
I quite understand your excitement, Mrs. Wolff. But if you desire to serve the cause at issue, I would advise you to remain calm.
That's what a person gets. I been washin' clothes for them people these ten years. All that time we ain't had a fallin' out. An' now, all of a sudden, they treat you this way. I ain't comin' to your house no more, you c'n believe me.
You don't need to. There are other washerwomen.
An' the vegetables an' the fruit out o' your garden—you c'n just go an' get somebody else to sell 'em for you.
I can get rid of all that. There's no fear. All you needed to have done was to have taken a stick to that girl of yours and sent her back.
I won't have no daughter of mine abused.
Who has been abusing your daughter, I'd like to know!
[To WEHRHAHN.] The girl came back to me no better'n a skeleton.
Then let her not spend all her nights dancing.
She sleeps like the dead all day.
[Past MRS. WOLFF to KRUEGER.] By the way, where did you buy the wood in question?
Is this thing goin' to last much longer?
Why, Mrs. Wolff?
Why, on account o' the washin'. If I wastes my time standin' round here,I can't get done.
We can't take that into consideration here, Mrs. Wolff.
An' your wife? What's she goin' to say? You c'n go an' settle it with her, your honour.
It will only last another minute, anyhow.—You tell us frankly, Mrs. Wolff—you know the whole village. Whom do you consider capable of the crime in question? Who could possibly have stolen the wood?
I can't tell you nothin' about that, your honour.
And nothing suspicious came to your attention?
I wasn't even at home last night. I had to go over to Treptow to buy geese.
At what time was that?
A little after ten. Mitteldorf, he was there when we started.
And no team carrying wood met you?
No, nothin' like that.
How about you, Mitteldorf, did you notice nothing?
[After some thought.] No, I didn't notice nothin' suspicious.
Of course not, I might have known that. [To KRUEGER.] Well, where did you buy the wood?
Why do you have to know that?
You will kindly leave that to me.
I naturally bought the wood from the department of forestry.
Why naturally? I don't see that at all. There are, for instance, private wood yards. Personally I buy my wood from Sandberg. Why shouldn't you buy yours from a dealer? One really almost gets a better bargain.
[Impatiently.] I haven't any more time, your honour.
What do you mean by that? Time? You have no time? Have you come to me, or do I come to you? Am I taking up your time or are you taking up mine?
That's your business. That's what you're here for.
Perhaps I'm your bootblack, eh?
Perhaps I've stolen silver spoons! I forbid you to use that tone to me.You're not a corporal and I'm not a recruit.
Well, that passes…. Don't shout so!
It is you who do all the shouting.
You are half deaf. It is necessary for me to shout.
You shout all the time. You shout at every one who comes in here.
I don't shout at any one. Be silent.
You carry on as if you were heaven knows what! You annoy the whole place with your chicanery!
I'm only making a beginning. I'll make you a good deal more uncomfortable before I get through.
That doesn't make the slightest impression on me. You're a pretentious nobody—nothing else. You simply want to cut a big figure. As though you were the king himself, you….
Iamking in this place.
[Laughs heartily.] You'd better let that be. In my estimation you're nothing at all. You're nothing but an ordinary justice of the peace. In fact, you've got to learn to be one first.
Sir, if you don't hold your tongue this minute….
Then, I suppose, you'll have me arrested. I wouldn't advise you to go to such lengths after all. You might put yourself into a dangerous position.
Dangerous? [To MOTES.] Did you hear that? [To KRUEGER.] And however much you intrigue, you and your admirable followers, and however you try to undermine my position—you won't force me to abandon my station.
Good heavens!Itry to undermine your position? Your whole personality is far too unimportant. But you may take my word for this, that if you don't change your tactics completely, you will cause so much trouble that you will make yourself quite impossible.
[To MOTES.] I suppose, Mr. Motes, that one must consider his age.
I beg to have my complaint recorded.
[Turning over the papers on his table.] You will please to send in your complaint in writing. I have no time at this moment.
KRUEGER looks at him in consternation, turns around vigorously, and leaves the office without a word.
[After a pause of embarrassment.] That's the way people annoy me with trifles.—Ugh!—[To MRS. WOLFF.] You'd better get back to your washing.—I tell you, my dear Motes, a position like mine is made hard enough. If one were not conscious of what one represents here—one might sometimes be tempted to throw up the whole business. But as it is, one's motto must be to stand one's ground bravely. For, after all, what is it that we are defending? The most sacred goods of the nation!—
It is about eight o'clock in the morning. The scene is the dwelling of MRS. WOLFF. Water for coffee is boiling on the oven. MRS. WOLFF is sitting on a footstool and counting out money on the seat of a chair. JULIUS enters, carrying a slaughtered rabbit.
You better go an' hide that there money!
[Absorbed in her calculations, gruffly:] Don't bother me!
[Silence.
JULIUS throws the rabbit on a stool. He wanders about irresolutely, picking up one object after another. Finally he sets about blacking a boot. From afar the blowing of a huntsman's horn is heard.
[Listens. Anxious and excited.] I axed you to go an' hide that there money!
An' I'm tellin' you not to bother me, Julius. Just let that fool Motes tootle all he wants. He's out in the woods an' ain't thinkin' o' nothin'.
You go right ahead and land us in gaol!
Don't talk that fool talk. The girl's comin'.
[Comes in, just out of bed.] Good mornin', mama.
Did you sleep well?
You was out in the night, wasn't you?
I guess you musta been dreamin'. Hurry now! Bring in some wood, an' be quick about it!
ADELAIDE, playing ball with an orange, goes toward the door.
Where did you get that?
Schoebel gave it to me out o' his shop.
[Exit.
I don't want you to take no presents from that feller.—Come here, Julius! Listen to me! Here I got ninety-nine crowns! That's always the same old way with Wulkow. He just cheated us out o' one, because he promised to give a hundred.—I'm puttin' the money in this bag, y'understand? Now go an' get a hoe and dig a hole in the goatshed—but right under the manger where it's dry. An' then you c'n put the bag into the hole. D'you hear me? An' take a flat stone an' put it across. But don't be so long doin' it.
I thought you was goin' to pay an instalment to Fischer!
Can't you never do what I tell you to? Don't poke round so long, y'understand?
Don't you go an' rile me or I'll give you somethin' to make you stop. I don't hold with that money stayin' in this here house.
Well, what's goin' to be done with it?
You take it an' you carry it over to Fischer. You said we was goin' to use it to make a payment to him.
You're stoopid enough to make a person sick. If it wasn't for me you'd just go to the dogs.
Go on with your screamin'! That's right.
A person can't help screamin', you're such a fool. If you had some sense, I wouldn't have to scream. If we go an' takes that money to Fischer now, you look out an' see what happens!
That's what I say. Look at the whole dam' business. What's the good of it to me if I gotta go to gaol!
Now it's about time you was keepin' still.
You can't scream no louder, can you?
I ain't goin' to get me a new tongue on your account. You raise a row … just as hard as you can, all on account o' this bit o' business. You just look out for yourself an' not for me. Did you throw the key in the river?
Has I had a chanst to get down there yet?
Then it's about time you was gettin' there! D'you want 'em to find the key on you? [JULIUS is about to go.] Oh, wait a minute, Julius. Let me have the key!
What you goin' to do with it?
[Hiding the key about her person.] That ain't no business o' yours; that's mine. [She pours coffee beans into the hand-mill and begins to grind.] Now you go out to the shed; then you c'n come back an' drink your coffee.
If I'd ha' known all that before. Aw!
[JULIUS exit. ADELAIDE enters, carrying a large apron full of firewood.
Where d'you go an' get that wood?
Why, from the new blocks o' pine.
You wasn't to use that new wood yet.
[Dropping the wood on the floor in front of the oven.] That don't do no harm, mama, if it's burned up!
You think you know a lot! What are you foolin' about? You grow up a bit an' then talk!
I know where it comes from!
What do you mean, girl?
I mean the wood.
Don't go jabberin' now; we bought that at a auction.
[Playing ball with her orange.] Oh, Lord, if that was true! But you just went and took it!
What's that you say?
It's just taken. That's the wood from Krueger's, mama. Leontine told me.
[Cuffs her head.] There you got an answer. We ain't no thieves. Now go an' get your lessons. An' do 'em nice! I'll come an' look 'em over later!
[Exit. From the adjoining room.] I thought I could go skatin'.
An' your lessons for your confirmation? I guess you forgot them!
That don't come till Tuesday.
It's to-morrow! You go an' study your verses. I'll come in an' hear you say 'em later.
[Loud yawning is heard from the adjoining room. Then she says:]
"Jesus to his disciples said,Use your fingers to eat your bread."
JULIUS comes back.
Well, Julius, did you go an' do what I told you?
If you don't like my way o' doin', go an' do things yourself.
God knows thatisthe best way—always. [She pours out two cupfuls of coffee, one for him and one for herself, and places the two cups with bread and butter on a wooden chair.] Here, drink your coffee.
[Sitting down and cutting himself some bread.] I hope Wulkow's been able to get away!
In this thaw!
Even if it is thawin', you can't tell.
An' you needn't care if it do freeze a bit; he ain't goin' to be stuck. I guess he's a good way up the canal by this time.
Well, I hope he ain't lyin' under the bridge this minute.
For my part he can be lyin' where he wants to.
You c'n take it from me, y'understan'? That there man Wulkow is goin' to get into a hell of a hole some day.
That's his business; that ain't none o' ours.
Trouble is we'd all be in the same hole. You just let 'em go an' find that coat on him!
What coat are you talkin' about?
Krueger's, o' course!
Don't you go talkin' rot like that, y'understan'? An' don't go an' give yourself a black eye on account o' other people's affairs!
I guess them things concerns me!
Concerns you—rot! That don't concern you at all. That's my business an' not yours. You ain't no man at all; you're nothin' but an old woman!—Here you got some change. Now hurry an' get out o' here. Go over to Fiebig and take a drink. I don't care if you have a good time all day Sunday. [A knocking is heard.] Come right in! Come right in, any one that wants to!
DR. FLEISCHER enters, leading his little son of five by the hand. FLEISCHER is twenty-seven years old. He wears one of the Jaeger reform suits. His hair, beard and moustache are all coal-black. His eyes are deep-set; his voice, as a rule, gentle. He displays, at every moment, a touching anxiety for the child.
[Jubilantly.] Lord! Is little Philip comin' to see us once more! Now, ain't that fine? Now I really feel proud o' that! [She gets hold of the child and takes off his overcoat.] Come now an' take off your coat. It's warm back here an' you ain't goin' to be cold.
Mrs. Wolff, there's a draught. I believe there's a draught.
Oh, he ain't so weak as all that. A bit o' draught, ain't goin' to hurt this little feller!
Oh, but it will, I assure you. You have no idea. He catches cold so easily! Exercise, Philip! Keep moving a little.
PHILIP jerks his shoulders back with a pettish exclamation.
Come now, Philip. You'll end by being ill. All you have to do is to walk slowly up and down.
[Naughtily.] But, I don't want to.
Let him do like he wants to.
Well, good morning, Mrs. Wolff.
Good morning, Doctor. I'm glad to see you comin' in onct more.
Good morning, Mr. Wolff.
Good mornin', Mr. Fleischer.
You're very welcome. Please sit down.