Everythin's attended to. He made forty new billheads. There they are on the chest. HENSCHEL Then the work an' the worry begins again. Drivin' in to Freiburg mornin' after mornin' an' noon after noon haulin' sick people across the hills. HANNE You're doin' too much o' the work yourself. Old Hauffe is too slow by half. I can't help it--if I was you I'd get rid o' him. HENSCHEL [_Gets up and goes to the window._] I'm sick of it--of the whole haulin' business. It c'n stop for all I care. I got nothin' against it if it does. To-day or to-morrow; it's the same to me. All you got to do is to take the horses to the flayers, to chop up the waggons for kindlin' wood, an' to get a stout, strong bit o' rope for yourself.--I think I'll go up an' see Siebenhaar. HANNE I was wantin' to say somethin' to you when I got a chance. HENSCHEL Well, what is it, eh? HANNE You see, it's not easy for me. No, indeed. [_Elaborately tearful._] But my brother--he needs me that bad. [_Weeping._] I'll have to leave--that's sure. HENSCHEL [_In extreme consternation._] You're not right in your mind. Don't start that kind o' business! _HANNE, shedding crocodile tears, holds her apron to her eyes._ HENSCHEL Well now, look here, lass: you're not goin' to play me that kind of a trick now! That would be fine! Who's goin' to manage the house? Summer's almost with us now an' you want to leave me in the lurch? HANNE [_With the same gesture._] 'Tis the little one I feels sorry for! HENSCHEL If you don't take care of her, who's goin' to? HANNE [_After a space collecting herself apparently by an effort of the will. Quietly:_] It can't be done no different. HENSCHEL Everythin' c'n be done in this world. All you needs is to want to do it.--You never said nothin' about it before. An' now, suddenly, you talk about your brother!--Maybe I been offendin' you some way? Don't you feel suited with me no more? HANNE There's no end to the gossip that's goin' round. HENSCHEL What kind o' gossip? HANNE Oh, I don't know. I'd rather be goin out o' the way of it. HENSCHEL I'd like to know just what you mean! HANNE I does my work an' I takes my pay! An' I won't have nobody say such things o' me. When the wife was still alive I worked all day; now that she's dead, I don't do no different. People c'n say all they wants to; I'm tryin' to make you think I'm fine, an' I want dead people's shoes. I'd rather go into service some other place. HENSCHEL [_Relieved._] You needn't say no more if that's all it is! HANNE [_Takes up some piece of work as an excuse for leaving the room._] No, no, I'll go. I can't never stay! [_Exit._ HENSCHEL [_Talking after her._] You c'n let people talk an' not say much yourself. All them tongues has to wag for an occupation. [_He takes off his black coat and hangs it up. Sighing._] The pack o' troubles don't get no smaller. _SIEBENHAAR comes in slowly. He carries a decanter full of water and a glass._ SIEBENHAAR