BECKER It's all the same to me whether I starve at my loom or by the roadside. DREISSIGER Out you go, then, this moment! BECKER [_Determinedly._] Not without my pay. DREISSIGER How much is owing to the fellow, Neumann? NEUMANN One and threepence. DREISSIGER [_Takes the money hurriedly ont of the cashier's hand, and flings it on the table, so that some of the coins roll off on to the floor._] There you are, then; and now, out of my sight with you! BECKER Not without my pay. DREISSIGER Don't you see it lying there? If you don't take it and go ... It's exactly twelve now ... The dyers are coming out for their dinner ... BECKER I gets my pay into my hand--here--that's where! [_Points with the fingers of his right hand at the palm of his left._ DREISSIGER [_To the APPRENTICE._] Pick up the money, Tilgner. [_The APPRENTICE lifts the money and puts it into BECKER'S hand._ BECKER Everything in proper order. [_Deliberately takes an old purse out of his pocket and puts the money into it._ DREISSIGER [_As BECKER still does not move away._] Well? Do you want me to come and help you? [_Signs of agitation are observable among the crowd of weavers. A long, loud sigh is heard, and then a fall. General interest is at once diverted to this new event._ DREISSIGER What's the matter there? CHORUS OF WEAVERS AND WOMEN "Some one's fainted."--"It's a little sickly boy."--"Is it a fit, or what?" DREISSIGER What do you say? Fainted? [_He goes nearer._ OLD WEAVER There he lies, any way. [_They make room. A boy of about eight is seen lying on the floor as if dead._ DREISSIGER Does any one know the boy? OLD WEAVER He's not from our village. OLD BAUMERT He's like one of weaver Heinrich's boys. [_Looks at him more closely._] Yes, that's Heinrich's little Philip. DREISSIGER Where do they live? OLD BAUMERT Up near us in Kaschbach, sir. He goes round playin' music in the evenings, and all day he's at the loom. They've nine children an' a tenth a coming. CHORUS OF WEAVERS AND WOMEN "They're terrible put to it."--"The rain comes through their roof."--"The woman hasn't two shirts among the nine." OLD BAUMERT [_Taking the boy by the arm._] Now then, lad, what's wrong with you? Wake up, lad. DREISSIGER Some of you help me, and we'll get him up. It's disgraceful to send a sickly child this distance. Bring some water, Pfeifer. WOMAN [_Helping to lift the boy._] Sure you're not goin' to be foolish and die, lad! DREISSIGER Brandy, Pfeifer, brandy will be better. BECKER [_Forgotten by all, has stood looking on. With his hand on the door-latch, he now calls loudly and tauntingly._] Give him something to eat, an' he'll soon be all right. [_Goes out._ DREISSIGER That fellow will come to a bad end.--Take him under the arm, Neumann. Easy now, easy; we'll get him into my room. What? NEUMANN He said something, Mr. Dreissiger. His lips are moving. DREISSIGER What--what is it, boy? BOY