Well, this is Saturday.--We've brought back the board waggon. It's downstairs in the entry way. We had to renew all the four tires. Where's Hauffe? MRS. HENSCHEL He hasn't been with us this long time. HILDEBRANT So he hasn't. 'Tis nonsense I'm talkin'. I mean the new servant. Is Schwarzer here? MRS. HENSCHEL He's gone along to Breslau. HILDEBRANT Fact is I knows all about Hauffe. He comes down to the smithy an' just stands aroun'. He's got nothin' to do yet. MRS. HENSCHEL People says he's beginnin' to drink. HILDEBRANT I believes it. That's the way it goes. 'Tis bad for an old fellow like that; nobody wants him now.--What's goin' on up there to-day? MRS. HENSCHEL Dancin'! HILDEBRANT How'd it be if we was to go up there too, missis. Why shouldn't we be joinin' in a little waltz too? MRS. HENSCHEL They'd open their eyes pretty wide up there if we did.--But what is it you want of Henschel? HILDEBRANT His honour, the judge, has a chestnut stallion that don't want to let hisself be shoed. So we wanted to ax Henschel to step over. If he can't get any beast to stand still, why then--! Well, good evenin', Mrs. Henschel. MRS. HENSCHEL Good evenin'. _HILDEBRANT withdraws._ MRS. HENSCHEL. [_Listens to a dragging noise out in the passage._] What kind of a noise is that there? [_She steps forward and opens the door._] Who's makin' all that racket out there? FRANZISKA [_Comes dancing in._] Get out of the way, Mrs. Henschel! I have no time. [_She whirls about in the room to the measure of the waltz heard from above._] MRS. HENSCHEL Well, this is a fine way to act! What's the matter with you? Did a mad dog bite you, maybe? _FRANZISKA dances on and hums the melody of the waltz._ MRS. HENSCHEL [_More and more amused._] For heaven's sake! Somethin's goin' to happen to you!--No, girl, you're goin' clear out o' your mind! FRANZISKA [_Sinks exhausted into a chair as the music breaks off._] Oh, Mrs. Henschel, I could dance myself to death! MRS. HENSCHEL [_Laughing._] At this here rate I believes you! It makes a body feel dizzy just to watch you. FRANZISKA Don't you dance at all? MRS. HENSCHEL Me? If I dance? To be sure I do. 'Twasn't once or twice only that I got a pair o' new shoes an' danced 'em to pieces in one night! FRANZISKA Come and dance with me then! MRS. HENSCHEL Why don't you go upstairs an' dance with the folks there? FRANZISKA Oh, if only I might! Do you know what I'll do? I'll sneak up! I'll sneak into the gallery! Have you ever been up there? The bags of prunes stand up there. I go up there quite boldly and look down, and eat prunes. Why shouldn't I look down from there? MRS. HENSCHEL An' maybe Siebenhaar'll send for you to come down. FRANZISKA I just stare down as bold as you please. I don't care a bit. And whenever a lady dances with Mr. Siebenhaar, I pelt her with plum pits. MRS. HENSCHEL You're crazy about Siebenhaar--that's certain! FRANZISKA