TRAVELLER
[_His mouth full._] What I don't understand's this.... Take up whatever paper you like and you'll find the most heartrending accounts of the destitution among the weavers. You get the impression that three-quarters of the people in this neighbourhood are starving. Then you come and see a funeral like what's going on just now. I met it as I came into the village. Brass band, schoolmaster, school children, pastor, and such a procession behind them that you would think it was the Emperor of China that was getting buried. If the people have money to spend on this sort of thing, well...! [_He takes a drink of beer; puts down the glass; suddenly and jocosely._] What do you say to it, Miss? Don't you agree with me?
[ANNA _gives an embarrassed laugh, and goes on working busily._
TRAVELLER
Now, I'll take a bet that these are slippers for papa.
WELZEL
You're wrong, then; I wouldn't put such things on my feet.
TRAVELLER
You don't say so! Now, I would give half of what I'm worth if these slippers were for me.
MRS. WELZEL
Oh, he don't know nothing about such things.
WIEGAND
[_Has coughed once or twice, moved his chair, and prepared himself to speak._] You were sayin', sir, that you wondered to see such a funeral as this. I tell you, and Mrs. Welzel here will bear me out, that it's quite a small funeral.
TRAVELLER
But, my good man ... what a monstrous lot of money it must cost! Where does all that come from?
WIEGAND
If you'll excuse me for saying so, sir, there's a deal of foolishness among the poorer working people hereabouts. They have a kind of inordinate idea, if I may say so, of the respect an' duty an' honour they're bound to show to such as is taken from their midst. And when it comes to be a case of parents, then there's no bounds whatever to their superstitiousness. The children and the nearest family scrapes together every farthing they can call their own, an' what's still wanting, that they borrow from some rich man. They run themselves into debt over head and ears; they're owing money to the pastor, to the sexton, and to all concerned. Then there's the victuals, an' the drink, an' such like. No, sir, I'm far from speaking against dutifulness to parents; but it's too much when it goes the length of the mourners having to bear the weight of it for the rest of their lives.
TRAVELLER
But surely the pastor might reason them out of such foolishness.
WIEGAND
Begging your pardon, sir, but I must mention that every little place hereabouts has its church an' its reverend pastor to support. These honourable gentlemen has their advantages from big funerals. The larger the attendance is, the larger the offertory is bound to be. Whoever knows the circumstances connected with the working classes here, sir, will assure you that the pastors are strong against quiet funerals.
_Enter HORNIG, the rag dealer, a little bandy-legged old man, with a strap round his chest._
HORNIG
Good-mornin', ladies and gentlemen! A glass o' schnapps, if you please, Mr. Welzel. Has the young mistress anything for me to-day? I've got beautiful ribbons in my cart, Miss Anna, an' tapes, an' garters, an' the very best of pins an' hairpins an' hooks an' eyes. An' all in exchange for a few rags. [_In a changed voice._] An'out of them rags fine white paper's to be made, for your sweetheart to write you a letter on.
ANNA
Thank you, but I've nothing to do with sweethearts.
MRS. WELZEL
[_Putting a bolt into her iron._] No, she's not that kind. She'll not hear of marrying.
TRAVELLER
[_Jumps up, affecting delighted surprise, goes forward to ANNA'S table, and holds out his hand to her across it._] That's sensible, Miss. You and I think alike in this matter. Give me your hand on it. We'll both remain single.
ANNA
[_Blushing scarlet, gives him her hand._] But you are married already!
TRAVELLER
Not a bit of it. I only pretend to be. You think so because I wear a ring. I only have it on my finger to protect my charms against shameless attacks. I'm not afraid of you, though. [_He puts the ring into his pocket._] But tell me, truly, Miss, are you quite determined never, never, never, to marry?
ANNA
[_Shakes her head._] Oh, get along with you!
MRS. WELZEL
You may trust her to remain single unless something very extra good turns up.
TRAVELLER
And why shouldn't it? I know of a rich Silesian proprietor who married his mother's lady's maid. And there's Dreissiger, the rich manufacturer, his wife is an innkeeper's daughter too, and not half so pretty as you, Miss, though she rides in her carriage now, with servants in livery. And why not? [_He marches about, stretching himself, and stamping his feet._]
Let me have a cup of coffee, please.
_Enter ANSORGE and OLD BAUMERT, each with a bundle. They seat themselves meekly and silently beside HORNIG, at the front table to the left._
WELZEL
How are you, father Ansorge? Glad to see you once again.
HORNIG
Yes, it's not often as you crawl down from that smoky old nest.
ANSORGE
[_Visibly embarrassed, mumbles._] I've been fetchin' myself a web again.
BAUMER
He's goin' to work at a shilling the web.
ANSORGE