You are sayin' you wouldn't be back till Monday. There's not a bite for supper in the house now. HENSCHEL There'll be a bit o' bread an' bacon. [_He hangs up his cap._ MRS. HENSCHEL [_Pulling ungently at BERTHEL'S clothes._] How'd you get this way? HENSCHEL You'll soon have to buy her somethin' to put on! She's got hardly nothin' on her little body. 'Twas a good thing I had plenty o' blankets along, or she'd ha' been half froze on the way. [_After he has removed his fur jacket and warmed his hands._] Best thing would be to put her right straight in a tub. MRS. HENSCHEL Best thing would ha' been if you'd ha' left her where she was. HENSCHEL What did you say? MRS. HENSCHEL Nothin'. HENSCHEL I thought you were sayin' somethin'.--Into the tub with her! An' then to bed! An' you might go over her head a bit! I believe she's got a little colony there. [_BERTHEL cries out._] What's the matter? Don't tug at her so rough! MRS. HENSCHEL Oh, don't cry, girl! That'd be the last straw! HENSCHEL You must be a bit friendly with her. The lass is thankful for every kind word. Be quiet, Berthel, be quiet! BERTHEL I want to go to father! HENSCHEL You're with mother now! Mother is good!--I'm reel satisfied that we has her with us. 'Twas the highest time. A bit longer an' we might ha' had to look for her in the graveyard. MRS. HENSCHEL That wasn't half as bad as you're tryin' to make out. HENSCHEL [_In some consternation but still kindly._] What's the meanin' o' that? [_Pause._] WALTHER Well, good luck to you all. I'll have to be goin'. HENSCHEL Wait a bit an' drink a glass o' toddy. MRS. HENSCHEL If there were only some rum in the house! HENSCHEL Well, you can fetch it from Wermelskirch's! MRS. HENSCHEL I don't want to have nothin' to do with those people! WALTHER No, no. I got to go home. I got no time. I got to be ridin' half an hour yet. [_To HANNE._] I don't want to be a bother to you. MRS. HENSCHEL Who mentioned such a thing? WALTHER [_Humorously._] Nothin'! I didn't say nothin' at all. God forbid! I won't let myself in for nothin'. You're a hard customer. Good-bye an' good luck! HENSCHEL Good-bye, an' don't forget a greetin' to the wife! WALTHER [_Already from outside._] All right! Good night! I won't forget nothin'. [_Exit._ HENSCHEL Well, didn't I do the right thing this time? MRS. HENSCHEL What is I to say to people? HENSCHEL --You're not goin' to be ashamed o' your own daughter! MRS. HENSCHEL Who's sayin' I is, eh? 'Tis all the same to me! You're willin' to have 'em say evil o' me. You force 'em to it! [_Harshly to the child._] Here, drink this milk! An' then off to bed with you! [_BERTHEL drinks._] HENSCHEL Are you goin' to go on this way? MRS. HENSCHEL Go on how? HENSCHEL With the child! MRS. HENSCHEL I'm not goin' to bite her; there's no fear! [_She takes the still weeping child into the little room to bed._ HENSCHEL