Nobody could possibly blame me for that, Mrs. Wolff. MRS. WOLFF An' I ain't blamin' you for it. FLEISCHER It would be a fine thing, wouldn't it--to associate with a swindler, a notorious swindler. MRS. WOLFF That man is a swindler; you're right there. FLEISCHER Now he moved over to Dreier's. That poor woman will have a hard time getting her rent. And whatever she has, she'll get rid of it. Why, a fellow like that--he's a regular gaol-bird. MRS. WOLFF Sometimes, you know, he'll say things ... FLEISCHER Is that so? About me? Well, I _am_ curious. MRS. WOLFF I believe you was heard to say somethin' bad about some high person, or somethin' like that. FLEISCHER H-m. You don't know anything definite, I dare say? MRS. WOLFF He's mighty thick with Wehrhahn, that's certain. But I tell you what. You go over to old mother Dreier. That old witch is beginnin' to smell a rat. First they was as nice as can be to her; now they're eatin' her outta house and home! FLEISCHER Oh, pshaw! The whole thing is nonsense. MRS. WOLFF You c'n go to the Dreier woman. That don't do no harm. She c'n tell you a story ... He wanted to get her into givin' false witness.... That shows the kind o' man you gotta deal with. FLEISCHER Of course, I might go there. It can do no harm. But, in the end, the whole matter is indifferent to me. It would be the deuce of a world, if a fellow like that.... You just let him come!--Here, Philip, Philip! Where are you? We've got to go. ADELAIDE'S VOICE Oh, we're lookin' at such pretty pictures. FLEISCHER What do you think of that other business, anyhow? MRS. WOLFF What business? FLEISCHER Haven't you heard anything yet? MRS. WOLFF [_Restlessly._] Well, what was I sayin'?... [_Impatiently._] Hurry, Julius, an' go, so's you c'n get back in time for dinner. [_To FLEISCHER._] We killed' a rabbit for dinner to-day. Ain't you ready yet, Julius? JULIUS Well, give me a chanst to find my cap. MRS. WOLFF I can't stand seein' anybody just foolin' round that way, as if it didn't make no difference about to-day or to-morrow, I like to see things move along. FLEISCHER Why, last night, at Krueger's, they ... MRS. WOLFF Do me a favour, Doctor, an' don't talk to me about that there man. I'm that angry at him! That man hurt my feelin's too bad. The way we was--him an' me, for so long--an' then he goes and tries to blacken my character with all them people. [_To JULIUS._] Are you goin' or not? JULIUS I'm goin' all right; don't get so huffy. Good mornin' to you, Mr. Fleischer. FLEISCHER Good morning, Mr. Wolff. [_JULIUS exit._ MRS. WOLFF Well, as I was sayin' ... FLEISCHER That time when his wood was stolen, I suppose he quarreled with you. But he's repented of that long since. MRS. WOLFF That man and repent! FLEISCHER You may believe me all the same, Mrs. Wolff. And especially after this last affair. He has a very high opinion of you indeed. The best thing would be if you were to be reconciled. MRS. WOLFF