NEIGHBOUR. That is true, but it is not for us to inquire into them.
JUDGE. [Enters, carrying a rattle] So you are in here conspiring, neighbour! Is it not enough that your evil eye has brought the starlings into my vineyard? For you do have the evil eye—but we'll soon put it out. I know a trick or two myself.
NEIGHBOUR. [To AMELIA] Is it worth while to set him right? One who doesn't believe what is told him! [He goes out.
AMELIA. No, this is beyond us!
JUDGE. Tell me, Amelia, have you noticed where your mother is looking for things when she believes herself to be alone?
AMELIA. No, father.
JUDGE. I can see by your eyes that you know. You were looking this way. [He goes up to a chest of drawers and happens to get into the sunlight] Damn the sun that is always burning me! [He pulls down one of the shades and returns to the chest of drawers] This must be the place!—Now, let me see! The stupidest spot is also the cleverest, so that's where I must look—as in this box of perfume, for instance—And right I was! [He pulls out a number of bank-notes and stocks] What's this? Twelve English bills of a pound each. Twelve of them!—Oho! Then it is easy to imagine the rest. [Pushes the bills and securities into his pockets] But what is it I hear? There are the starlings again! [He goes to an open window and begins to play the rattle] Get away there!
OLD LADY. [Enters] Are you still playing the ghost?
JUDGE. Are you not in the kitchen?
OLD LADY. No, as you see, I am not. [To AMELIA] Are you not done with the cleaning yet?