Gretchen. The dog Schneider? That's a likely story.
Rip. Of course it is likely,—he's my dog. I'll call him a wildcat much as I please. (Gretchen begins to weep.) Oh, well; dere, now, don't you cry, don't you cry, Gretchen; you hear what I said? Listen now. If you don't cry, I nefer drink anoder drop of liquor in my life.
Gretchen. O Rip, you have said so so many, many times, and you never kept your word yet.
Rip. Well, I say it dis time, und I mean it.
Gretchen. O Rip! if I could only trust you.
Rip. You mustn't suspect me. Can't you see repentance in my eye?
Gretchen. Rip, if you will only keep your word, I shall be the happiest woman in the world.
Rip. You can believe it. I nefer drink anoder drop so long what I live, if you don't cry.
Gretchen. O Rip, how happy we shall be! And you'll get back all the village, Rip, just as you used to have it; and you'll fix up our little house so nicely; and you and I, and our darling little Meenie here—how happy we shall be!