HELEN
Yes, quite badly, indeed.
LOTH
Ah--ha! And what was it that happened to his leg?
HELEN
That's a delicate subject. You have met Mr. Kahl?... But I must tell you this story very softly. [_She draws nearer to LOTH._] His father, you know, was just as silly about hunting as he is. When wandering apprentices came into his yard he shot at them--sometimes only into the air in order to frighten them. He had a violent temper too, and especially when he had been drinking. Well, I suppose Beipst grumbled one day--he likes to grumble, you know--and so the farmer snatched up his rifle and fired at him. Beipst, you know, used to be coachman at the Kahls.
LOTH
Outrage and iniquity wherever one goes.
HELEN
[_Growing more uncertain and excited in her speech._] Oh, I've had my own thoughts often and often ... and I've felt so sick with pity for them all, for old Beipst and ... When the farmers are so coarse and brutish like--well, like Streckmann, who--lets his farm hands starve and feeds sweetmeats to the dogs. I've often felt confused in my mind since I came home from boarding-school ... I have my burden too!--But I'm talking nonsense. It can't possibly interest you, and you will only laugh at me to yourself.
LOTH
But, my dear Miss Krause, how can you think that? Why should I?
HELEN
How can you help it? You'll think anyhow: she's no better than the rest here!
LOTH
I think ill of no one.
HELEN
Oh, you can't make me believe that--ever!
LOTH
But what occasion have I given, you to make you ...
HELEN
[_Almost in tears._] Oh, don't talk. You despise us; you may be sure that you do. Why, how can you help despising us--[_tearfully_]--even my brother-in-law, even me. Indeed, me above all, and you have--oh, you have truly good reasons for it!
[_She quickly turns her back to LOTH, no longer able to master her emotion, and disappears through the orchard into the background. LOTH passes through the little gate and follows her slowly._
MRS. KRAUSE
[_In morning costume, ridiculously over-dressed, comes out of the house.
Her face is crimson with rage. She screams._] The low-lived hussy! Marie!
Marie!! Under my roof! Out with the brazen hussy!
[_She runs across the yard and disappears in the stable. MRS. SPILLER appears in the house-door; she is crocheting. From within the stable resound scolding and howling._
MRS. KRAUSE
[_Comes out of the stable driving the howling maid before her._] Slut of a wench!--[_The maid almost screams._]--Git out o' here this minute! Pack yer things 'n then git out!
THE MAID
[_Catching sight of MRS. SPILLER, hurls her milking stool and pail from her._] That's your doin'! I'll git even with you!
[_Sobbing, she runs up the stairs to the loft._
HELEN
[_Joining MRS. KRAUSE._] Why, what did she do?
MRS. KRAUSE
[_Roughly._] Any o' your business?
HELEN
[_Passionately, almost weeping._] Yes, it is my business.
MRS. SPILLER
[_Coming up quickly._] Dear Miss Helen, it's nothing fit for the ear of a young lady ...
MRS. KRAUSE
An' I'd like to know why not! She ain't made o' sugar. The wench lay abed with the hired man. Now you know it!
HELEN
[_In a commanding voice._] The maid shall stay for all that!
MRS. KRAUSE
Wench!
HELEN
Good! Then I'll tell father that you spend your nights just the same way with William Kahl.
MRS. KRAUSE
[_Strikes her full in the face._] There you got a reminder!