Mother:
If anything should happen to Franz in the state she's in now, Hedwig might go out of her mind entirely. So you had best stay by, Amelia. We must keep a close eye on her.
[There is a knock at the door.]
Who's that?
Amelia: [Looks out of the windows, and then whispers.]
It's Hans Hoffman.
[The knock is repeated.]
Mother:
Open, girl! Don't stand there!
[Enter Hoffman, gay, familiar, inclined to stoutness, but good-looking. Accustomed to having the women bow down to him.]