BERTHA
She'll do herself no harm, mother. You needn't be afraid.
EMMA
That's the way she always goes on.
[Seats herself at the loom and weaves for a few seconds.
AUGUST enters, carrying a tallow candle, and lighting his father, OLD BAUMERT, who follows close behind him, staggering under a heavy bundle of yarn.
MOTHER BAUMERT
Oh, father, where have you been all this long time? Where have you been?
OLD BAUMERT
Come now, mother, don't fall on a man like that. Give me time to get my breath first. An' look who I've brought with me.