Frau Heinecke. From the Councillor! Robert. He gives you things like this? Heinecke. Naw, only---- Frau Heinecke. (_Aside_) Ssh! don't you know that Herr Kurt doesn't want it known? (_To_ Robert) Yes, last Christmas he gave us the mirror, and this Christmas the two chairs. Father, quit boring holes in the pound cake! Robert. Really, I don't like this sort of generosity! Frau Heinecke (_Pouring out coffee_) This furniture 'd be too good for some people! But when we have such fine visitors and such a distinguished gentleman for a son, and such an awful talented daughter---- Robert. Alma? Heinecke. Yessir! We did everything for our girl we were able to do. Frau Heinecke. And you always sent money---- Robert. So that she should have a proper schooling, and learn millinery and bookkeeping. That's what we agreed on. Frau Heinecke. Yes--that was before--! Robert. Before? Hasn't she the same position now? Frau Heinecke. Not for the last six months. Robert. What is she doing now? Heinecke. (_Proudly_) She is cultivating her voice! Robert. Why, I never heard she was musical! Heinecke. Awful musical! (_They drink the coffee._) Frau Heinecke. She was examined by some Italian singer--Seenyora or something--she said she had never heard anything like it before and she would take it as an honor to develop Alma's voice herself at her own cost. Robert. But why did you keep that from me? Frau Heinecke. Oh, it was such a long way, clear out to India, you forget such things--and then, we wanted to give you a surprise! Robert. (_Gets up and walks excitedly up and down_) Auguste really takes good care of her? Frau Heinecke. Certainly. She never lets her eye off her. Alma eats at her house and practises at her house and when she stays too late to catch the horsecar she sleeps there--same as she did last night. Robert. And when she stays away all night, doesn't that worry you? Heinecke. Huh! Big girl like that! Frau Heinecke. No, not when we've brought her up so well--and she's with Auguste, too! She ought to be here soon. The milk-man took the letter over early. How surprised she'll be! Robert. And Auguste is happy? Frau Heinecke. Oh, so--so. Her husband boozes a little, and when it comes to working, he ain't much, but---- Heinecke. But when it comes to sulking and raising Cain, he's right at home! Frau Heinecke. But, all in all, they get along all right. Auguste has furnished up two swell rooms, and rented 'em to a gentleman from Potsdam that ain't there half the time, but pays for the whole month! That brings in many a pretty penny. He pays a whole mark just for his coffee in the morning, (_Goes to the window_) There she comes! And she's brought her husband along, too! Robert. What? Isn't Alma with her? (Auguste _and_ Michalski _come in._)