MRS. WOLFF

Put your fingers in your ears!

MITTELDORF

An' then a man goes to the tavern a bit, so that the worries don't down him altogether; an' now he ain't to do that no more neither! He ain't to do nothin'. An' now I just come from a bit of a time there. A feller treated to a little keg.

MRS. WOLFF

You ain't goin' to be scared of a woman? If she scolds, scold harder; an' if she beats you, beat her back. Come here now—you're taller'n me—get me down them things off the shelf. An' Julius, you get the sleigh ready! [JULIUS exit.] How often have I got to tell you? [MITTELDORF has taken cords and pulley lines front the high shelf on the wall.] Get ready the big sleigh! You c'n hand them cords right down to him.

JULIUS

[From without.] I can't see!

MRS. WOLFF

What can't you do?