The Dramatic Works of Gerhart Hauptmann Volume I Part 89

SECOND YOUNG WEAVER

Let me alone. 'Twasn't anything bad I said.

OLD HILSE

[_Interfering._] Let him jaw, Gottlieb. What. would you be meddlin' with him for? He'll soon see who it is that's been off his head to-day, him or me.

BECKER

Are you comin', Gottlieb?

OLD HILSE

No, he's goin' to do no such thing.

LUISE

[_Comes into the entry-room, calls._] What are you puttin' off your time with prayin' hypocrites like them for? Come quick to where you're wanted!

Quick! Father Baumert, run all you can! The major's speakin' to the crowd from horseback. They're to go home. If you don't hurry up, it'll be all over.

JAEGER

[_As he goes out._] That's a brave husband o' yours.

LUISE

Where is he? I've got no husband!

[_Some of the people in the entry-room sing_:

Once on a time a man so small, Heigh-ho, heigh!

Set his heart on a wife so tall, Heigh diddle-di-dum-di!

WITTIG, THE SMITH

[_Comes downstairs, still carrying the stable pail; stops on his way through the entry-room._] Come On! all of you that is not cowardly scoundrels!--hurrah!

[_He dashes out, followed by LUISE, JAEGER, and others, all shouting_ "Hurrah!"

BECKER

Good-bye, then, father Hilse; well see each other again.

[_Is going._

OLD HILSE

I doubt that. I've not five years to live, and that'll be the soonest you'll get out.

BECKER

[_Stops, not understanding._] Out o' what, father Hilse?

OLD HILSE

Out o' prison--where else?

BECKER

[_Laughs wildly._] Do you think I'd mind that? There's bread to be had there anyhow!

[_Goes out._

OLD BAUMERT

[_Has been cowering on a low stool, painfully beating his brains; he now gets up._] It's true, Gustav, as I've had a drop too much. But for all that I knows what I'm about. You think one way in this here matter; I think another. I say Becker's right: even if it ends in chains an'

ropes--we'll be better off in prison than at home. You're cared for there, an' you don't need to starve. I wouldn't have joined 'em, Gustav, if I could ha' let it be; but once in a lifetime a man's got to show what he feels. [_Goes slowly towards the door._] Good-bye, Gustav. If anything happens, mind you put in a word for me in your prayers.

[_Goes out._

[_The rioters are now all gone. The entry-room, gradually fills again with curious onlookers from the different rooms of the house. OLD HILSE knots at his web. GOTTLIEB has taken an axe from behind the stove and is unconsciously feeling its edge. He and the old man are silently agitated. The hum and roar of a great crowd penetrate into the room._

MOTHER HILSE

The very boards is shakin', father--what's goin' on? What's goin' to happen to us?

[_Pause._]

OLD HILSE

Gottlieb!

GOTTLIEB

What is it?

OLD HILSE

Let that axe alone.

GOTTLIEB

Who's to split the wood, then?

[_He leans the axe against the stove._

[_Pause._]

MOTHER HILSE