FATHER. Of course I don't mean my sins... but those of our parents. And now they say the lake up there's to be drained, so that the river will rise....
MOTHER (pushing him out of the door). Silence. Misfortune will overtake us soon enough, without you calling it up.
MAID (from the bedroom at the back). The lady's asking for the master.
MOTHER. She means her husband.
MAID. Yes. The master of the house, her husband.
MOTHER. He went out a little while ago.
(The STRANGER comes in.)
STRANGER. Has the child been born?
MOTHER. No. Not yet.
STRANGER (putting his hand to his forehead). What? Can it take so long?