SCENE 2
[Enter Anneke.]
ANNEKE. Ha, ha, ha! He looks like a mummer. I believe that's an
Adrienne that he's got on him.
HENRICH. Listen, you tinker's trash! have you never seen a livery or a lackey before? Faith, these common people are like animals, they stand and stare like cows, when they see a man in different clothes one day from what he wears another.
ANNEKE. No, a joke's one thing, and sober truth's another. Don't you know that I've learned to tell fortunes? An old woman came here to-day who reads people's hands. I gave her a bit of bread and she taught me the art of seeing in people's hands what is going to happen to them. If I may look at your hand, I can tell your fortune at once.
HENRICH. Yes, yes, Anneke! Henrich isn't as stupid as you think. I smell a rat already. You have got wind of the promotion that is promised me to-day.
ANNEKE. No, indeed, I know nothing about it.
HENRICH. See how straight she keeps her face. Indeed you have heard it, and that is why you know how to tell fortunes so well. No, Henrich has an old head on his shoulders, and he can't be led by the nose.
ANNEKE. I give you my oath that I haven't heard a word of what you are talking about.
HENRICH. Haven't you been talking to madam the burgomaster's wife?
ANNEKE. The fellow is mad. What burgomaster's wife do I know?
HENRICH. Then I believe the young lady has told you.
ANNEKE. Here, enough of this nonsense, Henrich.
HENRICH. Look here, Anneke, here is my hand. Tell my fortune all you want. I see well enough that you have got wind of the affair, although you act as if you knew nothing about it. But it can do no harm to have you so wily; our whole household must be like that from now on. Now, what do you see in my hand?
ANNEKE. I see, Henrich, that master's custos which hangs back of the stove will dance a merry step on your back this day. Aren't you ashamed to go round like a mummer when there is so much work to do in the house, and to treat the master's coat like that?
HENRICH. Listen, Anneke! I can tell fortunes without reading hands. I prophesy that you are a rascal, and for your shameless talk you are going to get a box on the ear, or two, as the case may be. See, there's a prophecy come true. (Boxes her ear.)
ANNEKE. Ow, ow, ow! You shall pay dear for that.
HENRICH. Learn to show ordinary respect another time for a great gentleman's lackey—(Boxes her ear again.)
ANNEKE. Just you wait; mistress will be here in a minute.
HENRICH (again).—for the burgomaster's most distinguished servant—
ANNEKE. She will take it out on your back.
HENRICH (again).—for a reutendiener—
ANNEKE. Yes, yes! I say it again: that will cost you dear.
HENRICH (again).—for a person of great influence with the burgomaster—
ANNEKE. Oh, oh! No one in this house has ever struck me before.
HENRICH (again).—whom all the citizens will cherish and compliment henceforth.
ANNEKE. I think the fellow is stark mad. Oh, mistress! mistress!
Come here!
HENRICH. Hush, hush! You will get into trouble with your mistress. I see now that you don't know what has happened, so, like a Christian, I forgive your fault. The council has unanimously elected the master burgomaster, mistress madam burgomaster, and decreed Engelke out of mere maidenhood into the degree of young lady. Therefore you can easily understand that it won't do for me to work any more. For the same reason, too, I wear this livery that you notice.
ANNEKE. Well, don't stand and stare at me into the bargain.
HENRICH. It is as I say, Anneke! Here comes the young lady, who shall vouch for my words.