[_In distressed excitement._] Off with you, lass--out of the house this moment--unless you want a lickin'! Take that spoon back where you got it from. Out you go! Do you want to make thieves of us all, eh? I'll soon drive that out o' you. [_He looks round for something to beat her with._ MIELCHEN [_Clinging to her mother's skirts, crying._] No, grandfather, no! don't lick me! We--we _did_ find it. All the other bob--bobbin ... girls has ... has some too. LUISE [_Half frightened, half excited._] I was right, you see. She found it. Where did you find it, Mielchen? MIELCHEN [_Sobbing._] At--at Peterswal--dau. We--we found them in front of--in front of Drei--Dreissiger's house. OLD HILSE This is worse an' worse! Get off with you this moment, unless you want me to help you. MOTHER HILSE What's all the to-do about? HORNIG I'll tell you what, father Hilse. The best way'll be for Gottlieb to put on his coat an' take the spoon to the police-office. OLD HILSE Gottlieb, put on year coat. GOTTLIEB [_Pulling it on, eagerly._] Yes, an' I'll go right in to the office an' say they're not to blame us for it, for how c'n a child like that understand about it? an' I brought the spoon back at once. Stop your crying now, Mielchen! [_The crying child is taken into the opposite room by her mother, who shuts her in and comes back._ HORNIG I believe it's worth as much as nine shillin's. GOTTLIEB Give us a cloth to wrap it in, Luise, so that it'll take no harm. To think of the thing bein' worth all that money! [_Tears come into his eyes while he is wrapping up the spoon._ LUISE If it was only ours, we could live on it for many a day. OLD HILSE Hurry up, now! Look sharp! As quick as ever you can. A fine state o' matters, this! Get that devil's spoon out o' the house. [_GOTTLIEB goes off with the spoon._ HORNIG I must be off now too. [_He goes, is seen talking to the people in the entry-room before he leaves the house._ SURGEON SCHMIDT [_A jerky little ball of a man, with a red, knowing face, comes into the entry-room._] Good-morning, all! These are fine goings on! Take care! take care! [_Threatening with his finger._] You're a sly lot--that's what you are. [_At HILSE'S door without coming in._] Morning, father Hilse. [_To a woman in the outer room._] And how are the pains, mother? Better, eh? Well, well. And how's all with you, father Hilse? [_Enters._] Why the deuce! what's the matter with mother? LUISE It's the eye veins, sir--they've dried up, so as she can't see at all now. SURGEON SCHMIDT