[_Pats his wife good-naturedly on the back._] Come now, Jette, don't bite me. I'm reel glad, that I am, that you're here again with the little kid! [_He goes behind the partition._] But it's lookin' a little measly. MRS. JOHN The milk didn't agree with him. An' that's because out there in the country the cows is already gettin' green fodder. I got milk here from the dairy company that comes from dry fed cows. JOHN [_Reappears in the main room._] That's what I'm sayin'. Why did you have to go an' take the child on the train an' outa town. The city is healthier. That's my notion. MRS. JOHN I'm goin' to stay at home now, Paul. JOHN In Hamburg everythin' is settled, too. To-day at noon I'm goin' to meet Karl an' then he'll tell me when I c'n start workin' for the new boss!--Look here: I brought somethin' with me, too. [_He takes a small child's rattle from his breeches pocket and shakes it._ MRS. JOHN What's that? JOHN That's somethin' to bring a bit o' life into the place, 'cause it's pretty quiet inside in Berlin here! Listen how the kid's crowin'. [_The child is heard making happy little noises._] I tell you, mother, when a little kid goes on that way--there ain't nothin' I'd take for it! MRS. JOHN Have you seen anybody yet? JOHN No!--Leastways only Quaquaro early this mornin'. MRS. JOHN [_In timid suspense._] Well ...? JOHN Oh, never mind! Nothin! There was nothin' to it. MRS. JOHN [_As before._] What did he say? JOHN What d'you think he said? But if you're bound to know--'tain't no use talkin' o' such things Sunday mornin'--he axed me after Bruno again. MRS. JOHN [_Pale and speaking hastily._] What do they say Bruno has done again? JOHN Nothin'. Here, come'n drink a little coffee, Jette, an' don' get excited! It ain't your fault that you got a brother like that. We don't has to concern ourselves about other people. MRS. JOHN I'd like to know what an old fool like that what spies aroun' all day long has always gotta be talkin' about Bruno. JOHN Jette, don' bother me about Bruno--You see ...aw, what's the use ... might as well keep still!... But if I was goin' to tell you the truth, I'd say that it wouldn't surprise me if some day Bruno'd come to a pretty bad end right out in the yard o' the gaol, too--a quick end. [_MRS. JOHN sits down heavily beside the table. She grows grey in the face and breathes with difficulty._] Maybe not! Maybe not! Don't take it to heart so right off!--How's the sister? MRS. JOHN I don' know. JOHN Why, I thought you was out there visitin' her? MRS. JOHN [_Looks at him absently._] Where was I? JOHN Well, you see, Jette, that's the way it is with you women! You're jus' shakin', but oh no--you don' want to go to no doctor! An' it'll end maybe, by your havin' to take to your bed. That's what comes o' neglectin' nature. MRS. JOHN