SCENE 4
(Enter Geske with a dog in her arms. Henrich returns with the coffee-table and sets it busily.)
GESKE. Listen, Henrich, is there syrup in the coffee?
HENRICH. No, Mistress!
GESKE. No more "Master" and "Mistress," Henrich! I say that once for all. Run get some syrup and put it into the pot. (Exit Henrich.) I was free from all this hubbub before. But I suppose that once I am used to it, it will come easier to me.
(Enter Henrich.)
HENRICH. Here is the syrup.
GESKE. Pour it into the pot. Goodness me, some one is knocking. It must be the wives of councillors to call on me.
HENRICH (at the door). Whom do you want to speak to?
GIRL. Tell your master that he can lie like ten tinkers. I have worn out a pair of shoes running to and fro after the dripping-pan.
HENRICH. I say, whom do you want to speak to?
GIRL. I want to speak to Master Herman.
HENRICH. You are on a wild-goose chase. Burgomaster von Bremenfeld lives here.
GIRL. It is a scandal when people can't get their things done, and have to let themselves be made fools of by a miserable tinker.
HENRICH. If you have any fault to find with tinkers, you must go to the Council Hall; you will get justice there, or I don't know Burgomaster von Bremenfeld.
TWO LACKEYS. Our ladies are desirous of announcing that if it suits the convenience of Madam Burgomaster, they should like to have the honor of waiting on her.
HENRICH (to the Girl). Now, do you see, you scum of the earth, that it's no tinker that lives here? (To the servants.) I will inquire if the burgomaster's lady is at home.
[The Girl goes.
HENRICH (to Geske). Here are two councillors' ladies outside, who want to talk to the mistress.
GESKE. Let them in.