[_In a sharp, shrill voice._] That's because it's delivery day at Dreissiger's. MRS. WELZEL But they don't generally make such an awful row. WIEGAND It's may be because of the two hundred new weavers that he's going to take on. MRS. WELZEL [_At her ironing._] Yes, yes, that'll be it. If he wants two hundred, six hundred's sure to have come. There's no lack of _them_. WIEGAND No, they'll last. There's no fear of their dying out, let them be ever so badly off. They bring more children into the world than we know what to do with. [_The strains of the funeral hymn are suddenly heard more distinctly._] There's a funeral to-day too. Weaver Nentwich is dead, you know. WELZEL He's been long enough about it. He's been goin' about like a livin' ghost this many a long day. WIEGAND You never saw such a little coffin, Welzel; it was the tiniest, miserablest little thing I ever glued together. And what a corpse! It didn't weigh ninety pounds. TRAVELLER [_His mouth full._] What I don't understand's this.... Take up whatever paper you like and you'll find the most heartrending accounts of the destitution among the weavers. You get the impression that three-quarters of the people in this neighbourhood are starving. Then you come and see a funeral like what's going on just now. I met it as I came into the village. Brass band, schoolmaster, school children, pastor, and such a procession behind them that you would think it was the Emperor of China that was getting buried. If the people have money to spend on this sort of thing, well...! [_He takes a drink of beer; puts down the glass; suddenly and jocosely._] What do you say to it, Miss? Don't you agree with me? [ANNA _gives an embarrassed laugh, and goes on working busily._ TRAVELLER Now, I'll take a bet that these are slippers for papa. WELZEL You're wrong, then; I wouldn't put such things on my feet. TRAVELLER You don't say so! Now, I would give half of what I'm worth if these slippers were for me. MRS. WELZEL Oh, he don't know nothing about such things. WIEGAND [_Has coughed once or twice, moved his chair, and prepared himself to speak._] You were sayin', sir, that you wondered to see such a funeral as this. I tell you, and Mrs. Welzel here will bear me out, that it's quite a small funeral. TRAVELLER But, my good man ... what a monstrous lot of money it must cost! Where does all that come from? WIEGAND