[_As before._] Good Lord A'mighty, is that so indeed? GEORGE How do I get out of here, tell me that! HANNE [_Alert, mobile, and coquettish in her way in the waiter's presence._] You has to go back up the stairs. We has no use down here for your swallow tails. GEORGE This is the first story, eh? Best part o' the house? HANNE You mean the kennels or somethin' like that? We'll show you--that we will! The very best people live down here! GEORGE [_Intimately and flirtatiously._] Young woman, do you know what? You come along an' show me the way? With you I wouldn't be a bit afraid, no matter where you lead me to. I'd go into the cellar with you or up into the hay loft either. HANNE You stay out o' here! You're the right kind you are! We've got enough of your sort without you. GEORGE Young woman, do you want me to help with the washin'? HANNE No! But if you're aimin' at it exackly, I c'n help you to get along! [_Half drawing a piece of linen out of the suds._] Then you'd be lookin' to see where your starched shirt-front went to! GEORGE O dear! You're not goin' to mess me up that way, are you? Well, well, that wouldn't do! We'd have to have a talk about that first! That so, young woman? Well, o' course! We'll talk about it--when I has time, later. [_He mounts the stairs and disappears._ WERMELSKIRCH He won't lose his way very often after this! Siebenhaar will see to it that he gets to know the way from the dining hall to the kitchen.--Hanne, when is Henschel coming back? HANNE About noon, I s'pose! D'you want me to give him a message? WERMELSKIRCH Tell him--don't forget, now--tell him that I--send him my regards. HANNE Such foolishness. I might ha' thought ...! WERMELSKIRCH [_Passing her with a slight bow._] Thoughts are free ... I wish you a good morning. [_Exit._ HANNE [_Alone, washing vigorously._] If only Henschel wasn't such a fool! _Above the cellar, outside, the pedlar FABIG, kneeling down, looks in at the window._ FABIG Good mornin', young woman! How are you? How's everythin'? HANNE Who are you anyhow? FABIG Why--Fabig, from Quolsdorf. Don't you know me no more? I'm bringin' you a greetin' from your father. An' he wants me to tell you ... Or maybe you'd want me to come in? HANNE Aw, I know. I believe you. He wants money again. Well, I has none myself. FABIG I told him that myself. He wouldn't believe me. Are you all alone, young woman? HANNE Why d'you ax? FABIG [_Lowering his voice._] Well now you see, there's more'n one thing I has on my heart. An', through the window, people might be hearin' it. HANNE Oh well, I don't care. You c'n come in! [_FABIG disappears from the window._] That that feller had to be comin' to-day ...! [_She dries her hands._ _FABIG enters. He is a poorly clad, strangely agile, droll pedlar, with a sparse beard, about thirty-six years old._ FABIG A good mornin' to you, young woman. HANNE