KARLCHEN, released from her grasp, withdraws timidly toward the door. When his hand is on the knob of the glass door a sudden terror overtakes him. He tears the door open and slams it behind him with such force that the panes rattle. Immediately thereupon a vigorous cracking of whips is heard without. Hearing this noise MRS. HENSCHEL starts up violently.
MRS. HENSCHEL
That's father comin'!
HENSCHEL
[Out in the hallway and yet unseen.] Doctor, what are we goin' to do with the beast?
[He and the veterinarian are visible through the doorway.
GRUNERT
He won't let you come near him. We'll have to put the twitch on him, I think.
HENSCHEL
[He is a man of athletic build, about forty-five years old. He wears a fur cap, a jacket of sheep's fur under which his blue carter's blouse is visible, tall boots, green hunting stockings. He carries a whip and a burning lantern.] I don't know no more what's wrong with that beast. I carted some hard coal from the mine yesterday. I came home an' unhitched, an' put the horses in the stable, an'—that very minute—the beast throws hisself down an' begins to kick.