You'd better come over to Quolsdorf some time an' look into it all. That'd be best, too. The little girl ... 'tis a purty little thing, with bits o' hands an' feet like that much porcelain, so dainty an' delicate. HANNE She's not my child an' she don't concern me. FABIG Well, you better come over an' see what's to be done. It's hard for people to see such things goin' on. If a man goes into an inn, in the middle of the night or some time like that--I got to do that, you see, in the way o' business--an' sees her sittin' there with the old man in the midst o' tobacco smoke--I tell you it hurts a body's soul. HANNE The innkeepers oughtn't to serve him nothin'. If they was to take a stick an' beat him out o' their places, maybe he'd learn some sense.--A waggon's just come into the yard. Here you got a sixpence. Now you get along an' I'll be thinkin' it all over. I can't do nothin' about it this minute. But if you goes aroun' here in the inns an' talks about it--then it's all over between us. FABIG I'll take good care, an' it don't concern me. If it's your child or your sister's child--I'm not goin' to poke my nose in the parish register, nor I'm not goin' to say nothin' neither. But if you want a bit o' good advice,'tis this: Tell Henschel straight out how 'tis. He won't tear your head off by a long way! HANNE [_With increasing excitement as HENSCHEL'S voice grows more clearly audible._] Oh this here jabberin'! It's enough to drive you crazy. [_Exit into the adjoining room._ _HENSCHEL enters slowly and seriously. He wears a black suit, a top hat and white knitted gloves._ HENSCHEL [_Remains standing and looks at FABIG with an expression of slow recollection. Simply and calmly._] Who are you? FABIG [_Alertly._] I buy rags, waste paper, furniture, cast off clothes, anythin' that happens to be aroun'. HENSCHEL [_After a long glance, good-naturedly but with decision._] Out with the fellow! _FABIG withdraws with an embarrassed smile._ HENSCHEL [_Takes off his top-hat and wipes his forehead and neck with a manicoloured handkerchief. Thereupon, he places his hat on the table and speaks toward the door of the next room:_] Girl, where are you? HANNE I'm with Gustel here in the little room. HENSCHEL All right. I c'n wait. [_He sits down with a sigh that is almost a groan._] Yes, yes, O Lord--a man has his troubles. HANNE [_Enters busily._] The dinner'll be ready this minute. HENSCHEL I can't eat; I'm not hungry. HANNE Eatin' and drinkin' keeps body an' soul together. I was once in service with a shepherd, an' he said to us more'n one time: If a body has a heartache or somethin' like that, even if he feels no hunger, 'tis best to eat. HENSCHEL Well, cook your dinner an' we'll see. HANNE You shouldn't give in to it. Not as much as all that. You got to resign yourself some time. HENSCHEL Was that man Horand, the bookbinder, here? HANNE