Major. So?--Ho, ho ...! Who is to blame for that? Agnes. Ah, let us not talk about that, uncle. But from another quarter, I have had news of him. Major. When? Agnes. Yesterday. Major. And that you have----? Agnes. (_Taking a letter from her pocket_.) Please read--and I think you will not reproach me. Major (_unfolding the letter_). Ah, from the little Frohn! Now then, what does the little Frohn write? (_Reads, muttering_.) Lanskis--Steinhof--met cousin--danced (_aloud_). Indeed, then he could dance, but not write, that is a nice business--I should not have believed it of him at all.... (_Reads further, muttering_.) Eyes for the so-called beautiful Frau von Lanski ... The whole regiment is talking of it.... Hm! eh, what! Such a goose! What things such a goose does cackle!... Regiment has other things to bother itself about.... But such a regulation goose ... If a young lieutenant like that isn't all the time trotting after them. And when he once shows attention to a lady who doesn't belong to the regiment ... Besides, the Lanski is nearly forty ... Such idiocy! Then he might at least--hm--hm--eh, pardon! Now then, what is it?... My poor old girl ... Yes, yes, jealousy ... You have borne up disgracefully since yesterday. Agnes. I think I have controlled myself, uncle? Major. Yes, very true, girl, no one has noticed anything. _THIRD SCENE_. THE SAME. WILHELM. _Afterward_ STEPHAN, _the overseer_. Wilhelm (_entering from the right_). Herr Stephan is there, Major. Major. Come in! (_Enter_ Stephan.) Very well, my dear Stephen, I must drive into town directly after dark. Unless I should be detained, I shall be here early to-morrow morning--four and a half and four and a half more miles--nine miles.... The coach horses have been exercised to-day? Stephan. Yes, indeed, Major. Major. Which are in better condition now, the browns or the whites? Stephan. That I don't permit myself to decide, Major. They have all had it severely! Major. Well, I will just go and have a look myself. Wilhelm--cap! Wilhelm. Very well, Major. (_Exit to the right_.) Major. And at half after nine this evening, send a message to my wife and have her told that I must stay all night at the brick kilns--eh, you remember (_softly, looking around at_ Agnes) how we managed it the other times when I was out at night. Stephan.