[_With tearful excitement._] I don't know how it is--they just leaves me alone. No, no, you're Mr. Siebenhaar, I know that. An' I know more'n that: you was always good to me an' you has a good heart, even if sometimes you made an angry face. I can tell you: I'm that afraid! I'm always thinkin': it don't go quick enough for him. SIEBENHAAR What doesn't go quick enough? MRS. HENSCHEL [_Bursting into tears._] I'm livin' too long for him--! But what's to become o' Gustel? SIEBENHAAR But, my dear Mrs. Henschel, what kind of talk is that? MRS. HENSCHEL [_Sobbing softly to herself._] What's to become o' Gustel if I die? SIEBENHAAR Mrs. Henschel, you're a sensible woman! And so do listen to me! If one has to lie quietly in bed, you see, the way you have had to do unfortunately--week after week--why then one naturally has all kinds of foolish thoughts come into one's head. One has all sorts of sickly fancies. But one must resist all that resolutely, Mrs. Henschel! Why, that would be a fine state of affairs, if that--! Such stuff! Put it out of your mind, Mrs. Henschel! it's folly! MRS. HENSCHEL Dear me, I didn't want to believe it: I know what I says! SIEBENHAAR That's just what you don't know. That's just what, unfortunately, you don't know at present. You will simply laugh when you look back upon, it later. Simply laugh! MRS. HENSCHEL [_Breaking out passionately._] Didn't he go an' see her where she sleeps! SIEBENHAAR [_Utterly astonished but thoroughly incredulous._] Who went to see whom? MRS. HENSCHEL Henschel! The girl! SIEBENHAAR Your husband? And Hanne? Now look here; whoever persuaded you of that is a rascally liar. MRS. HENSCHEL An' when I'm dead he'll marry her anyhow! _HENSCHEL appears in the doorway._ SIEBENHAAR You're suffering from hallucinations, Mrs. Henschel! HENSCHEL [_In good-natured astonishment._] What's the matter, Malchen? Why are you cryin' so? SIEBENHAAR Henschel, you mustn't leave your wife alone! HENSCHEL [_Approaches the bed in kindly fashion._] Who's doin' anythin' to you? MRS. HENSCHEL [_Throws herself in sullen rage on her other side, turning her back to HENSCHEL and facing the wall._] ... Aw, leave me in peace! HENSCHEL What's the meanin' o' this? MRS. HENSCHEL [_Snarling at him through her sobs._] Oh, go away from me! _HENSCHEL, visibly taken aback, looks questioningly at SIEBENHAAR, who polishes his glasses and shakes his head._ SIEBENHAAR [_Softly._] I wouldn't bother her just now. MRS. HENSCHEL [_As before._] You're wishin' me into my grave! SIEBENHAAR [_To HENSCHEL, who is about to fly into a rage._] Sh! Do me the favour to keep still! MRS. HENSCHEL A body has eyes. A body's not blind! You don't has to let me know everythin'. I'm no good for nothin' no more; I c'n go! HENSCHEL [_Controlling himself._] What do you mean by that, Malchen? MRS. HENSCHEL That's right! Go on pretendin'! HENSCHEL [_Perplexed in the extreme._] Now do tell me--anybody ...!