Friedel [speaking timidly and hurriedly]. Oh, sir! Oh, good, kind sir! don't you want a little boy to help you in your house?
Johann [looks him over]. What's your name, boy?
Friedel. Friedel, sir!
Johann. Friedel what!
Friedel. Just Friedel, sir!
Johann. Umph! "Just Friedel." And who's Friedel, I'd like to know.
Friedel. I don't think I just know myself, sir! But, oh, sir! [clasps his hands tightly], please let me work for you. I would pick up wood for you, and build fires, and run errands. I would work so hard and be so faithful!
Johann [throwing back his shoulders and putting his hands in his pockets]. And who do you think I am, boy, that you presume to want to work in my house? To work for me, Rich Johann, who has many servants in his house, to carry out his commands and do his work and run his errands? Umph! Do you think I could have one servant about me clothed in such rags as yours? [Friedel hangs his head.] No, no! my servants wear fine clothes and brass buttons [takes a puff at his pipe], yes, indeed, brass buttons. No, no! Rich Johann lives in a very different style—a very different style, indeed. [Exit (R.), his nose very much in the air.]
Friedel. Nobody will take me in. I have walked so far, so far, I can't go back to the town. [Throws himself down on mound (R. Center).] The snow feels almost warm, the wind is so cold. [Points up.] I can see a star up there through the trees. It twinkles and twinkles as if it was laughing. I do believe it is! Sometimes I think the stars must be children with little candles in their hands. I wish I could see—— I wish—— [He falls back asleep. Enter the little Star Child (back Center) from behind the fir trees. Sings.]