The Dramatic Works of Gerhart Hauptmann - novelonlinefull.com
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[_Hangs up his scythe on the wall._] Ye'd better not let that Spiller creature get wind o' it.
AUGUSTE
Oh, Lord, no! Who'd think o' it!
LIESE
A poor woman like that with eight--
AUGUSTE
Eight little brats. They wants to be fed!
LIESE
An' they wouldn't give her a drop o' milk even. It's low, that's what I calls it.
AUGUSTE
Where is she milkin'?
LIESE
Way back there.
BEIPST
[_Fills his pipe. Holding his tobacco-pouch with his teeth he mumbles._]
Ye say Marie's gone?
LIESE
Yes, it's true an' certain. The parson's hired man slept with her.
BEIPST
[_Replacing the tobacco-pouch in his pocket._] Everybody feels that way sometimes--even a woman. [_He lights his pipe and disappears through the gateway. In going:_] I'm goin' fer a bit o' breakfast.
THE COACHMAN'S WIFE
[_Hiding the pot full of milk carefully under her ap.r.o.n, sticks her head out of the stable door._] Anybody in sight?
LIESE
Ye c'n come if ye'll hurry. There ain't n.o.body. Come! Hurry!
THE COACHMAN'S WIFE
[_Pa.s.sing by the maids._] It's fer the nursin' baby.
LIESE
[_Calling out after her._] Hurry! Some one's comin'.
_THE COACHMAN'S WIFE disappears between the house and the stable._
AUGUSTE
It's only the young Miss.
_The maids now finish unloading their wheelbarrows and then thrust them under the doorway. They both go into the cow-shed._
_HELEN and LOTH enter by the gate._
LOTH
A disgusting fellow--this Kahl--an insolent sneak.
HELEN
I think in the arbour in front--[_They pa.s.s through the small gate into the little garden by the house and into the arbour._] It's my favourite place, I'm less disturbed there than anywhere if, sometimes, I want to read something.
LOTH
It's a pretty place.--Really. [_Both sit down in the arbour, consciously keeping at some distance from one another. An interval of silence. Then LOTH._] You have very beautiful and abundant hair.
HELEN
Yes, my brother-in-law says so too. He thought he had scarcely seen anyone with so much--not even in the city ... The braid at the top is as thick as my wrist ... When I let it down, it reaches to my knees. Feel it. It's like silk, isn't it?
LOTH
It is like silk.
[_A tremour pa.s.ses through him. He bends down and kisses her hair._
HELEN
[_Frightened._] Ah, don't. If ...
LOTH
Helen! Were you in earnest a while ago?
HELEN
Oh, I am so ashamed--so deeply ashamed. What have I done? Why, I've thrown myself at you. That's what I've done. I wonder what you take me for?
LOTH
