class="sc">Heinecke. Kurt--Oh, he's a fine young gentleman! But as for the rest--"The Moor has paid his debt"[4] as the Berliner says--show me the rabble! (Robert swallows his answer and turns away, frowning) But, Bobby, look around! Don't you notice anything? He don't see anything, Mother!

Frau Heinecke. Oh, stop your chatter!

Heinecke. Chatter! Ho! When I try to welcome my dear son back to his father's house, then it's chatter! (Leads Robert to the placard) W--what do you say to that, eh?

Robert. Did you make that, Father, you with your lame arm?

Heinecke. Ah! I make lots of things. If the poor old cripple didn't take a hand this fine family would have starved long ago!--(Rather roughly) What are you standing there staring at. Mother? Where's the coffee?

Frau Heinecke. Well, well! (Starts to go)

Robert. (Hurrying after her) Oh, Mother, he didn't mean anything!

Frau Heinecke. Mean anything? Ha! Ha! he's only talking that way to make you think he's the man of the house! (She goes out)

Robert. (After a pause, he tries to soothe over the unpleasantness) You still paste boxes. Father?

Heinecke. Still at it!

Robert. And the arm doesn't bother you?

Heinecke. My arm, ha! ha! ha! my arm! Do you want to see how I do it! First the pasteboard--so--then the fold--so! (With great speed he sweeps the pastebrush across two sheets of cardboard, pressing them into place with his left elbow) Who could beat your old cripple at that?

Robert. You are a regular juggler.

Heinecke. That's what! But who admits it? Who appreciates me? Who appreciates me? Nobody! How could the daughters--one of 'em already a Missus--respect me when their own mother gives 'em such a bad example!

Robert. (Indignantly) Father!

Heinecke. Yes, you're a long way from her lap--far away cows have long horns--There, it's "dear little Mother! sweet little sister!"--But if you knew what I've had to stand! Not once does she give me horse-car-fare when I want to go to town for a glass of beer!

Robert. Are you quite fair to her? Doesn't she cherish you as the apple of her eye?

Heinecke. Lord, I didn't mean to say anything against her--shh!--here she comes! (Enter Frau Heinecke with a steaming coffee-pot) Sit down, Bobby,--No, here in the arm-chair! Wait a minute! (Pulls off the covering from the chair) Such a fine gentleman ought to sit on pure silk!

Frau Heinecke. Yes, and the other's just the same! Two pieces we've got! And have you seen the pier-glass? All gold creepers, and the glass in one piece! Augusta's husband says it cost at least two hundred marks!

Robert. Where did all these wonderful things come from.

Frau Heinecke. From the Councillor!

Robert. He gives you things like this?

Heinecke. Naw, only----

Frau Heinecke. (Aside) Ssh! don't you know that Herr Kurt doesn't want it known? (To Robert) Yes, last Christmas he gave us the mirror, and this Christmas the two chairs. Father, quit boring holes in the pound cake!

Robert. Really, I don't like this sort of generosity!

Frau Heinecke (Pouring out coffee) This furniture 'd be too good for some people! But when we have such fine visitors and such a distinguished gentleman for a son, and such an awful talented daughter----

Robert. Alma?

Heinecke. Yessir! We did everything for our girl we were able to do.

Frau Heinecke. And you always sent money----

Robert. So that she should have a proper schooling, and learn millinery and bookkeeping. That's what we agreed on.

Frau Heinecke. Yes--that was before--!

Robert. Before? Hasn't she the same position now?

Frau Heinecke. Not for the last six months.

Robert. What is she doing now?

Heinecke. (Proudly) She is cultivating her voice!

Robert. Why, I never heard she was musical!

Heinecke. Awful musical!

(They drink the coffee.)

Frau Heinecke. She was examined by some Italian singer--Seenyora or something--she said she had never heard anything like it before and she would take it as an honor to develop Alma's voice herself at her own cost.

Robert. But why did you keep that from me?

Frau Heinecke. Oh, it was such a long way, clear out to India, you forget such things--and then, we wanted to give you a surprise!

Robert. (Gets up and walks excitedly up and down) Auguste really takes good care of her?

Frau Heinecke. Certainly. She never lets her eye off her. Alma eats at her house and practises at her house and when she stays too late to catch the horsecar she sleeps there--same as she did last night.

Robert. And when she stays away all night, doesn't that worry you?

Heinecke. Huh! Big girl like that!

Frau Heinecke. No, not when we've brought her up so well--and she's with Auguste, too! She ought to be here soon. The milk-man took the letter over early. How surprised she'll be!

Robert. And Auguste is happy?

Frau Heinecke. Oh, so--so. Her husband boozes a little, and when it comes to working, he ain't much, but----

Heinecke. But when it comes to sulking and raising Cain, he's right at home!

Frau Heinecke. But, all in all, they get along all right. Auguste has furnished up two swell rooms, and rented 'em to a gentleman from Potsdam that ain't there half the time, but pays for the whole month! That brings in many a pretty penny. He pays a whole mark just for his coffee in the morning, (Goes to the window) There she comes! And she's brought her husband along, too!

Robert. What? Isn't Alma with her?

(Auguste and Michalski come in.)