You better be doin' your work yourself. I slaves away all day an' half o' the night! But if things is that way—I'd rather go about my business!
[She lets her skirts fall and runs out.
MRS. HENSCHEL
Girl! Girl!—Don't do that to me! What is it I said that was so bad? O Lord, O Lord! What'll happen when the men folks comes home? They wants to eat! No, girl … girl!
[She sinks back exhausted, moans softly, and begins to rock her baby's cradle by means of a cord which is within her reach.
Through the glass door in the rear KARLCHEN squeezes himself in with some difficulty. He carries a dish full of soup and moves carefully and timidly toward MRS. HENSCHEL'S bed. There he sets down the dish on a wooden chair.
MRS. HENSCHEL
Eh, Karlchen, is that you! Do tell me what you're bringin' me there?
KARLCHEN
Soup! Mother sends her regards and hopes you'll soon feel better and that you'll like the soup, Mrs. Henschel.