[_Breaks out despairingly._] Things is in a terrible way with us!
[_She struggles in vain, against a rush of tears; then weeps silently._
MOTHER BAUMERT
The best thing as could happen to the likes o' us, Jenny, would be if God had pity on us an' took us away out o' this weary world.
MRS. HEINRICH
[_No longer able to control herself, screams, still crying._] My children's starvin'. [_Sobs and moans._] I don't know what to do no more!
I c'n work till I drops--I'm more dead'n alive--things don't get different! There's nine hungry mouths to fill! We got a bit o' bread last night, but it wasn't enough even for the two smallest ones. Who was I to give it to, eh? They all cried; Me, me, mother! give it to me!... An' if it's like this while I'm still on my feet, what'll it be when I've to take to bed? Our few taters was washed away. We haven't a thing to put in our mouths.
BERTHA
[_Has removed the bit of glass and washed the wound._] We'll put a rag round it. Emma, see if you can find one.
MOTHER BAUMERT
We're no better off'n you, Jenny.
MRS. HEINRICH
You has your girls, any way. You've a husband as c'n work. Mine was taken with one o' his fits last week again--so bad that I didn't know what to do with him, and was half out o' my mind with fright. And when he's had a turn like that, he can't stir out o' bed under a week.
MOTHER BAUMERT
Mine's no better. He's goin' to pieces, too. He's breathin's bad now as well as his back. An' there's not a farthin' nor a farthin's worth in the house. If he don't bring a few pence with him today, I don't know what we're to do.
EMMA
It's the truth she's tellin' you, Jenny. We had to let father take the little dog with him to-day, to have him killed, that we might get a bite into our stomachs again!
MRS. HEINRICH
Haven't you got as much as a handful o' flour to spare?
MOTHER BAUMERT
An' that we haven't, Jenny. There's not as much as a grain o' salt in the house.
MRS. HEINRICH
Well, then, I don't know ... [_Rises, stands still, brooding._] I don't know what'll be the end o' this! It's more'n I c'n bear. [_Screams in rage and despair._] I'd be contented if it was nothin' but pigs'
food!--But I can't go home again empty-handed--that I can't. God forgive me, I see no other way out of it.
[_She limps quickly out._
MOTHER BAUMERT
[_Calls after her in a warning voice._] Jenny, Jenny! don't you be doin'
anything foolish, now!
BERTHA
She'll do herself no harm, mother. You needn't be afraid.
EMMA
That's the way she always goes on.
[_Seats herself at the loom and weaves for a few seconds._
_AUGUST enters, carrying a tallow candle, and lighting his father, OLD BAUMERT, who follows close behind him, staggering under a heavy bundle of yarn._
MOTHER BAUMERT
Oh, father, where have you been all this long time? Where have you been?
OLD BAUMERT
Come now, mother, don't fall on a man like that. Give me time to get my breath first. An' look who I've brought with me.
_MORITZ JAEGER comes stooping in at the low door. Reserve soldier, newly discharged. Middle height, rosy-cheeked, military carriage. His cap on the side of his head, hussar fashion, whole clothes and shoes, a clean shirt without collar. Draws himself up and salutes._
JAEGER
[_In a hearty voice._] Good-evenin', auntie Baumert!
MOTHER BAUMERT
Well, well now! and to think you've got back! An' you've not forgotten us? Take a chair, then, lad.
EMMA
[_Wiping a wooden chair with her apron, and pushing it towards MORITZ._]
An' so you've come to see what poor folks is like again, Moritz?
JAEGER
I say, Emma, is it true that you've got a boy nearly old enough to be a soldier? Where did you get hold o' him, eh?
[_BERTHA, having taken the small supply of provisions which her father has brought, puts meat into a saucepan, and shoves it into the oven, while AUGUST lights the fire._
BERTHA
You knew weaver Finger, didn't you?
MOTHER BAUMERT