LOUISE. I suppose they use the back-stairs, for I have never seen them. But I do hear them.
STARCK. Yes, I have also heard doors bang and corks pop—and the popping of other things, too, I guess.
LOUISE. And they never open their windows, in spite of the heat—they must be Southerners.—Why, that's lightning—a lot of it!—I guess it's nothing but heat-lightning, for there has been no thunder.
A VOICE. [Is heard from the basement] Starck, dear, won't you come down and help me put in the sugar!
STARCK. All right, old lady, I'm coming! [To LOUISE] We are making jam, you know. [As he goes] I'm coming, I'm coming! [He disappears into the gateway again.
LOUISE remains standing at the window.
CONSUL. [Enters slowly from the right] Isn't my brother back yet?
LOUISE. No, sir.
CONSUL. He wanted to telephone, and I was to go ahead. Well, I suppose he'll be here soon.—What's this? [He stoops to pick up a post-card] What does it say?—"Boston club at midnight: Fischer."—Do you know who Fischer is, Louise?
LOUISE. There was a man with a lot of wine looking for Fischer a while ago—up on the second floor.