(Enter Frau Heinecke in night-cap and wearing a woollen under-skirt.)
Frau Heinecke. Good-morning, my son! (He does not answer) Poor thing! he ain't even been to bed! (Goes to him, wiping her eyes) Bobby!
Robert. (Starts up) What is it? What do you want?
Frau Heinecke. Lord, how you yell at me! And your teeth are chattering with cold! Won't you drink some coffee? (He shakes his head decisively) Take a little piece of advice from your old mother, Bobby; even if a person is in trouble, he's got to sleep. Sleep puts marrow in the bones. (Puts out the lamp)
Robert. Mother, Mother, what have you done?
Frau Heinecke. (Crying) We aren't to blame, my boy!
Robert. Not to blame!
Frau Heinecke. I brought her up honorably. There has never been a bad example in this house. I kept her at her schooling and I had her confirmed, though that ain't even necessary any more. She went up to the altar in a new black pleated dress. I bought it myself at a bargain, and I put my own wedding handkerchief into her hand, and the preacher spoke so movin', so movin'.
Robert. But how could you allow her to have anything to do with that--fellow!
Frau Heinecke. Perhaps it wasn't really so bad----