MRS. HENSCHEL
Best thing would ha' been if you'd ha' left her where she was.
HENSCHEL
What did you say?
MRS. HENSCHEL
Nothin'.
HENSCHEL
I thought you were sayin' somethin'.--Into the tub with her! An' then to bed! An' you might go over her head a bit! I believe she's got a little colony there. [_BERTHEL cries out._] What's the matter? Don't tug at her so rough!
MRS. HENSCHEL
Oh, don't cry, girl! That'd be the last straw!
HENSCHEL
You must be a bit friendly with her. The lass is thankful for every kind word. Be quiet, Berthel, be quiet!
BERTHEL
I want to go to father!
HENSCHEL
You're with mother now! Mother is good!--I'm reel satisfied that we has her with us. 'Twas the highest time. A bit longer an' we might ha' had to look for her in the graveyard.
MRS. HENSCHEL
That wasn't half as bad as you're tryin' to make out.
HENSCHEL
[_In some consternation but still kindly._] What's the meanin' o' that?
[_Pause._]
WALTHER
Well, good luck to you all. I'll have to be goin'.
HENSCHEL
Wait a bit an' drink a glass o' toddy.
MRS. HENSCHEL
If there were only some rum in the house!
HENSCHEL
Well, you can fetch it from Wermelskirch's!
MRS. HENSCHEL
I don't want to have nothin' to do with those people!
WALTHER
No, no. I got to go home. I got no time. I got to be ridin' half an hour yet. [_To HANNE._] I don't want to be a bother to you.
MRS. HENSCHEL
Who mentioned such a thing?
WALTHER
[_Humorously._] Nothin'! I didn't say nothin' at all. God forbid! I won't let myself in for nothin'. You're a hard customer. Good-bye an' good luck!
HENSCHEL
Good-bye, an' don't forget a greetin' to the wife!
WALTHER
[_Already from outside._] All right! Good night! I won't forget nothin'.
[_Exit._
HENSCHEL
Well, didn't I do the right thing this time?
MRS. HENSCHEL
What is I to say to people?
HENSCHEL
--You're not goin' to be ashamed o' your own daughter!
MRS. HENSCHEL
Who's sayin' I is, eh? 'Tis all the same to me! You're willin' to have 'em say evil o' me. You force 'em to it! [_Harshly to the child._] Here, drink this milk! An' then off to bed with you! [_BERTHEL drinks._]