It's the truth she's tellin' you, Jenny. We had to let father take the little dog with him to-day, to have him killed, that we might get a bite into our stomachs again!
MRS. HEINRICH
Haven't you got as much as a handful o' flour to spare?
MOTHER BAUMERT
An' that we haven't, Jenny. There's not as much as a grain o' salt in the house.
MRS. HEINRICH
Well, then, I don't know … [Rises, stands still, brooding.] I don't know what'll be the end o' this! It's more'n I c'n bear. [Screams in rage and despair.] I'd be contented if it was nothin' but pigs' food!—But I can't go home again empty-handed—that I can't. God forgive me, I see no other way out of it.
[She limps quickly out.
MOTHER BAUMERT
[Calls after her in a warning voice.] Jenny, Jenny! don't you be doin' anything foolish, now!