_In the passage appears, slowly feeling his may, the veterinarian GRUNERT. He is a small man in a coat of black sheep's fur, cap and tall boots. He taps with the handle of his whip against the door post in order to call attention to his presence._ GRUNERT Isn't Henschel at home yet? HANNE What's wanted of him? GRUNERT I've come to look at the gelding. HANNE So you're the doctor from Freiburg, eh? Henschel, he's not at home. He went to Freiburg carryin' freight; seems to me you must ha' met him. GRUNERT In which stall do you keep the gelding? HANNE 'Tis the chestnut horse with the white star on his face, I believe they put him in the spare stall. [_To FRANZ._] You might go along an' show him the way. FRANZ Just go straight across the yard, 's far as you can, under the big hall, right into the coachman's room. Then you c'n ask Frederic; he'll tell you! [_Exit GRUNERT._ HANNE Well, go along with him. FRANZ Haven't you got a few pennies change for me? HANNE I s'pose you want me to sell my skin on your account? FRANZ [_Tickling her._] I'd buy it right off. HANNE Franz! Don't you--! D'you want the woman to wake up? You don't feel reel well, do you, if you can't wring a few farthings out o' me! I'm fair cleaned out. [_Rummaging for the money._] Here! [_She presses something into his hand._] Now get out! [_The bell rings._ FRANZ [_Frightened._] That's the master. Good-bye. [_He goes hastily._ MRS. HENSCHEL [_Has waked up and says weakly._] Girl! Girl! Don't you hear nothin'? HANNE [_Roughly._] What d'you want? MRS. HENSCHEL I want you to listen when a body calls you! HANNE I hear all right! But if you don't talk louder I can't hear. I got only just two ears. MRS. HENSCHEL Are you goin' to cut up rough again? HANNE [_Surly._] Ah, what do I--! MRS. HENSCHEL Is that right, eh? Is it right o' you to talk rough like that to a sick woman? HANNE Who starts it, I'd like to know! You don't hardly wake up but what you begin to torment me. Nothin's done right, no matter how you do it! MRS. HENSCHEL That's because you don't mind me! HANNE You better be doin' your work yourself. I slaves away all day an' half o' the night! But if things is that way--I'd rather go about my business! [_She lets her skirts fall and runs out._ MRS. HENSCHEL Girl! Girl!--Don't do that to me! What is it I said that was so bad? O Lord, O Lord! What'll happen when the men folks comes home? They wants to eat! No, girl ... girl! [_She sinks back exhausted, moans softly, and begins to rock her baby's cradle by means of a cord which is within her reach._ _Through the glass door in the rear KARLCHEN squeezes himself in with some difficulty. He carries a dish full of soup and moves carefully and timidly toward MRS. HENSCHEL'S bed. There he sets down the dish on a wooden chair._ MRS. HENSCHEL Eh, Karlchen, is that you! Do tell me what you're bringin' me there? KARLCHEN