SCENE 10
(Enter Arianke, the Blacksmith's Wife. (This part is played by a man.))
ARIANKE. Oh, my dear sister Geske! Is it true that your husband has been made burgomaster? I am as pleased as if I had been given two marks. Let us see now that you haven't become proud, but acknowledge your old cronies. (Geske does not answer?) When was your husband made burgomaster? (Geske says not a word.) You are getting absent-minded, sister. I am asking you when your husband was made burgomaster.
COUNCILLOR'S WIFE. You must show a little more respect, dear Madam, to a burgomaster's wife.
ARIANKE. No, I don't have to stand on ceremony with sister Geske, for we have been like body and soul. But what is the matter, sister? It seems to me that you have grown a bit haughty.
GESKE. My good woman, I don't know you.
ARIANKE. The Lord preserve us! When you needed money, you knew me well enough. You can't be sure but my husband may come to be the same as yours some time before he dies.
(Geske turns faint and uses a bottle of smelling-salts.)
HENRICH. Get out, you smith's hag! Do you think you're standing in a smithy and talking?
[Takes her by the hand and leads her off.]
GESKE. Oh, madam, it is a sorrow to associate with these low-born people. Henrich! you will get into trouble if you let in any more commoners' wives after this.
HENRICH. She was drunk as a pig; the brandy fairly stuck out off her throat.
COUNCILLOR'S WIFE. The incident pains me, for I fear that Madam Burgomaster has been overcome by anger. People of rank cannot endure much. The higher one advances in position, the more delicate one's health becomes.
GESKE. Yes, I can assure you that I am far from having the health now that I had in my former rank.
COUNCILLOR'S WIFE. I can believe that easily. Madam will have to take physic every day. All other burgomaster's wives have had to do it.
HENRICH (aside to the audience). I think, by Jove, that I haven't the health I used to have, since I became reutendiener. I've got a stitch—oh, oh!—right here in my left side. You laugh at it, good people, but I am really in earnest. Ma foi, I am afraid that before I know it I shall have gout on me.
COUNCILLOR'S WIFE. Madam must also engage a doctor by the year for her whole household, and he can give her some drops which she can at least leave standing in a bottle, whether she uses them or not.
GESKE. Yes, I certainly shall follow your advice. Henrich! Later on you must run to Doctor Hermelin's and ask him to make me a visit when he has time.
COUNCILLOR'S WIFE. I must now take my leave, madam, and commend myself to your affection.
GESKE. Already so commended, my dear lady! You have but to speak frankly to me or to Master Herman—I mean to Burgomaster von Bremenfeld. What service we can do to you or to those dear to you, you shall never lack.
COUNCILLOR'S WIFE (kissing her apron). Your most humble servant!
GESKE. Adieu! (Exit the Councillor's Wife.) Let us go in, for my husband is giving audience here.