KARL. Mrs. Nies?
FRITZI. [Calling out.] Henny Nies is a tough.
MRS. BAUER. [Looking toward the outer door anxiously and shaking her head threateningly at Fritzi.] I give you somethin' if you don't stop hollerin' out like that.
KARL. Who'd she lie to?
MRS. BAUER. Never mind. Go 'long now. It's time you begin to eat.
KARL. What'd she lie about?
MRS. BAUER. [Warningly.] S-s-sh! Papa'll be comin' in now in a minute.
KARL. It was Henny Nies set the gang on to us. I coulda licked them all if I hadn't had to take care of Fritzi.
MRS. BAUER. You'll get a lickin' all right if you don't keep away from Henny Nies.
KARL. Well—if they call me names—and say my father's been to the station-house for killing a cat ...?