To be sure, your wife was the best, most faithful woman. There's only one opinion about that. But you are in the full current of life, Henschel; you're in your best years; you still have a great deal to do in the world: who knows how much. You needn't forget your wife on that account; on the contrary. And that's entirely out of the question in the case of a man like you. But you must honour her memory in a saner way. This kind of brooding does no good. I've been watching you for a good while and I determined, without saying anything, to make a really strong appeal to you one day. You're letting yourself be actually downed. HENSCHEL But what's a man to do against it? You're right--that you are; but times I hardly know what to do! You say: Plunge into business. But there's somethin' lackin' all around. Four eyes sees better'n two; four hands--they c'n do a sight more. Now I got all these coaches here in the summer! An' there's no one to see to things at home! 'Tis not easy, I c'n tell you that. SIEBENHAAR I thought that Hanne was quite a capable girl. HENSCHEL Well, you see, she's given me notice, too.--'Tis too hard for a man to get along without a wife. Yon can't depend on no one. That's just it; that's just what I says! SIEBENHAAR Why don't you marry, Henschel? HENSCHEL 'Twould be best!--What c'n I do without a wife? A man like me can't get along without one. I was thinking in fact, of goin' upstairs an' askin' the missis if, maybe, she could give me some advice in that direction. She died an' left me alone in the midst of all these worries.--An', also, to tell you the truth, this business of mine's not what it used to be. How long is it goin' to be before the railroad comes here? Well, you see, we'd put by a little, an' we wanted to buy a small inn--maybe in two years or so. Well, that can't be done without a woman neither. SIEBENHAAR True. You won't be able to get along this way permanently. You can't remain a widower the rest of your life. If for no other reason but for the child's sake. HENSCHEL That's what I always says. SIEBENHAAR Of course I have no right to interfere in your affairs. Still, we're old friends. To wait, Henschel, just on account of what people will think--that's sheer nonsense, no more, no less. If you are quite seriously thinking of marrying again, it would be better both for you and for the child if you did it soon. You needn't be overhasty; assuredly not! But if you've quite made up your mind, then--go straight ahead! Why should you hesitate? [_After a pause during which HENSCHEL scratches his head._] Have you any one particular in view? HENSCHEL --If I got some one in view? That's what you'd like to know? Maybe I has. Only I can't marry her. SIEBENHAAR But why not? HENSCHEL You know it yourself. SIEBENHAAR I? I know it? How's that? HENSCHEL All you got to do is a little thinkin'. SIEBENHAAR [_Shaking his head._] I can't say that I recall at this moment. HENSCHEL