_Behind the scenes musicians are heard playing._ WEILER, _looking about him, slowly through the centre door; the_ FORESTER'S _wife at the same time from the left with an air of being very busy. Then_ ANDREW, WILLIAM, _and finally_ MARY. SOPHY. There, the musicians have come already. I wonder where I put the cellar-key. The musicians must have something to drink. You here, Weiler? WEILER. Yes, I'm here. But where is the old man--the forester? SOPHY. My husband? Isn't he outside? WEILER. I want to see him about the wood-cutters. SOPHY. Can't you wait? WEILER. Wait? Bless you, no. I have my hands full. SOPHY. Then get along with you! WEILER (_quietly filling his short clay pipe with tobacco_). Yes. SOPHY. Is he perhaps already with Herr Stein-- WEILER. Yes; the sand was already strewn on Tuesday. And the garlands outside at the door. If I do not mistake we are today celebrating the engagement of Miss Mary to Mr. Robert Stein? Then they will be even more chummy when he can say "my father-in-law, Mr. Stein." And that is by no means all. Now Stein has also bought the estate where Ulrich is forester. The fat lawyer from town fixed up the deeds yesterday. And this morning Stein got out of bed as proprietor of Düsterwalde. SOPHY. The table here-- WEILER (_while they carry the table together, on the left_). Won't Ulrich have an easy time of it, now that his old friend has become his master, and is going to be his father-in-law into the bargain! SOPHY. Nearer the stove. We must get in one more table. WEILER (_chuckling to himself_). Regular ale-house politicians those two, Stein and Ulrich. Every day they have a row. SOPHY. What are you talking there about a row? They're only fooling. [_Exit in a hurry; reënters immediately afterward_.] WEILER (_going as far as the door, gesticulating behind her_).