[_Now manager, formerly weaver. The type is unmistakable, only he is well fed, well dressed, clean shaven; also takes snuff copiously. He calls out roughly._] Mr. Dreissiger would have enough to do if he had to attend to every trifle himself. That's what we are here for. [_He measures, and then examines through the magnifying-glass._] Mercy on us! what a draught! [_Puts a thick muffler round his neck._] Shut the door, whoever comes in. APPRENTICE [_Loudly to PFEIFER._] You might as well talk to stocks and stones. PFEIFER That's done!--Weigh! [_The weaver places his web on the scales._] If you only understood your business a little better! Full of lumps again.... I hardly need to look at the cloth to see them. Call yourself a weaver, and "draw as long a bow" as you've done there! _BECKER has entered. A young, exceptionally powerfully-built weaver; offhand, almost bold in manner. PFEIFER, NEUMANN, and the APPRENTICE exchange looks of mutual understanding as he comes in._ BECKER Devil take it! This is a sweatin' job, and no mistake. FIRST WEAVER [_In a low voice._] This blazin' heat means rain. [_OLD BAUMERT forces his way in at the glass door on the right, through which the crowd of weavers can be seen, standing shoulder to shoulder, waiting their turn. The old man stumbles forward and lays his bundle on the bench, beside BECKER'S. He sits down by it, and wipes the sweat from his face._ OLD BAUMERT A man has a right to a rest after that. BECKER Rest's better than money. OLD BAUMERT Yes, but we _needs_ the money too. Good mornin' to you, Becker! BECKER Mornin', father Baumert! Goodness knows how long we'll have to stand here again. FIRST WEAVER That don't matter. What's to hinder a weaver waitin' for an hour, or for a day? What else is he there for? PFEIFER Silence there! We can't hear our own voices. BECKER [_In a low voice._] This is one of his bad days. PFEIFER [_To the weaver standing before him._] How often have I told you that you must bring cleaner cloth? What sort of mess is this? Knots, and straw, and all kinds of dirt. REIMANN It's for want of a new picker, sir. APPRENTICE [_Has weighed the piece._] Short weight, too. PFEIFER I never saw such weavers. I hate to give out the yarn to them. It was another story in my day! I'd have caught it finely from my master for work like that. The business was carried on in different style then. A man had to know his trade--that's the last thing that's thought of nowadays. Reimann, one shilling. REIMANN But there's always a pound allowed for waste. PFEIFER I've no time. Next man!--What have you to show? HEIBER [_Lays his web on the table. While PFEIFER is examining it, he goes close up to him; eagerly in a low tone._] Beg pardon, Mr. Pfeifer, but I wanted to ask you, sir, if you would perhaps be so very kind an' do me the favour an' not take my advance money off this week's pay. PFEIFER