JOHN
I comes home, Mr. Hassenreuter, only this mornin'. I comes home with all my tools on the train, jolly as c'n be. I broke off all my connections in Hamburg. Even if you don' earn so much, says I to myself, you'd rather be with your family, an' take up your child in your arms a little, or maybe take it on your knee a little! That was about the way I was thinkin'!
MRS. JOHN
Paul! Here, Paul! [She goes close up to him.] You c'n tear my heart out if you want to!
[She stares long at him, then runs behind the partition, whence her
loud weeping is heard.
SELMA enters from the hall. She is dressed in mourning garments and carries a little wreath in her hand.
SELMA
What is I to do? You called me, Mr. John.
JOHN
Put on your cloak, Selma. Ax your mother if you c'n go an' take a trip with me to Hangelsberg. You'll earn a bit o' money doin' it. All you gotta do is to take my child on your arm an' come along with me.