[_Calling out after her._] Hurry! Some one's comin'. _THE COACHMAN'S WIFE disappears between the house and the stable._ AUGUSTE It's only the young Miss. _The maids now finish unloading their wheelbarrows and then thrust them under the doorway. They both go into the cow-shed._ _HELEN and LOTH enter by the gate._ LOTH A disgusting fellow--this Kahl--an insolent sneak. HELEN I think in the arbour in front--[_They pass through the small gate into the little garden by the house and into the arbour._] It's my favourite place, I'm less disturbed there than anywhere if, sometimes, I want to read something. LOTH It's a pretty place.--Really. [_Both sit down in the arbour, consciously keeping at some distance from one another. An interval of silence. Then LOTH._] You have very beautiful and abundant hair. HELEN Yes, my brother-in-law says so too. He thought he had scarcely seen anyone with so much--not even in the city ... The braid at the top is as thick as my wrist ... When I let it down, it reaches to my knees. Feel it. It's like silk, isn't it? LOTH It is like silk. [_A tremour passes through him. He bends down and kisses her hair._ HELEN [_Frightened._] Ah, don't. If ... LOTH Helen! Were you in earnest a while ago? HELEN Oh, I am so ashamed--so deeply ashamed. What have I done? Why, I've thrown myself at you. That's what I've done. I wonder what you take me for? LOTH [_Draws nearer to her and takes her hand in his._] Ah, you mustn't let _that_ trouble you. HELEN [_Sighing._] Oh, if Sister Schmittgen knew of that--I dare not imagine it. LOTH Who is Sister Schmittgen? HELEN One of my teachers at boarding-school. LOTH How can you worry about Sister Schmittgen! HELEN She was very good. [_Laughing heartily to herself suddenly._ LOTH Why do you laugh all at once? HELEN [_Half between respect and jest._] Oh, when she stood in the choir and sang--she had only one long tooth left--then she was supposed to sing: "Trouble yourselves not, my people!"--and it always sounded like: "'Rouble, 'rouble yourselves not, my people!" It was too funny. And we always had to laugh so ... when it sounded through the chapel: "'Rouble, 'rouble!" [_She laughs more and more heartily. LOTH becomes infected by her mirth. She seems so sweet to him at this moment that he wants to take the opportunity to put his arms about her. HELEN wards him off._] An, no! no! Just think! I threw myself at you! LOTH Oh, don't say such things! HELEN But it isn't my fault; you have only yourself to blame for it. Why do you demand ...