MRS. WOLFF There ain't no reason why it should. But don't wake the girls. MITTELDORF [_From without._] Mrs. Wolff! Mrs. Wolff! Are you still up? MRS. WOLFF Sure, Mitteldorf! Come right in! [_She opens the door._ MITTELDORF [_Enters. He has an overcoat over his shabby uniform. His face has a Mephistophelian cast. His nose betrays an alcoholic colouring. His demeanour is gentle, almost timid. His speech is slow and dragging and unaccompanied by any change in expression._] Good evenin', Mrs. Wolff. MRS. WOLFF I guess you mean to say: Good night! MITTELDORF I was around here once before a while ago. First I thought I saw a light, an' then, all of a sudden, it was dark again. Nobody didn't answer me neither. But this time there was a light an' no mistake; an' so I came back once more. MRS. WOLFF Well, what have you got for me now, Mitteldorf? MITTELDORF [_Has taken a seat, thinks a while and then says:_] That's what I came here for. I got a message for you from the justice's wife. MRS. WOLFF She ain't wantin' me to do washin'? MITTELDORF [_Raises his eye-brows thoughtfully._] That she does. MRS. WOLFF An' when? MITTELDORF To-morrow.--To-morrow mornin'. MRS. WOLFF An' you come in tellin' me that twelve o'clock at night? MITTELDORF But to-morrow is the missis' wash day. MRS. WOLFF But a person ought to know that a few days ahead o' time. MITTELDORF That' a fac'. But don't go makin' a noise. I just plumb forgot all about it again. I got so many things to think of with my poor head, that sometimes I just naturally forgets things. MRS. WOLFF Well, Mitteldorf, I'll try an' arrange it. We always was good friends. You got enough on your shoulders, I suppose, with them twelve children o' yours at home, eh? You ain't got no call to make yourself out worse'n you are. MITTELDORF If you don't come in the mornin', I'll have a pretty tough time of it! MRS. WOLFF I'll come. You needn't go worryin'. There, take a drink. I guess you need it this weather. [_She gives him a glass of toddy._] I just happened to have a bit o' hot water. You know, we gotta take a trip yet to-night--for fat geese over to Treptow. You don't get no time in the day. That can't be helped in this kind of a life. Poor people is got to work themselves sick day an' night, an' rich people lies in bed snorin'. MITTELDORF I been given notice. Did you know that? The justice has given me notice. I ain't keen enough after the people. MRS. WOLFF They wants you to be like an old watch dog, I suppose. MITTELDORF I'd rather not go home at all. When I gets there, it'll be nothin' but quarrelin'. She just drives me crazy with her reproaches. MRS. WOLFF Put your fingers in your ears! MITTELDORF An' then a man goes to the tavern a bit, so that the worries don't down him altogether; an' now he ain't to do that no more neither! He ain't to do nothin'. An' now I just come from a bit of a time there. A feller treated to a little keg. MRS. WOLFF