AUGUST

D'you think it had somethin' to do with Streckmann? He called out some words behind you that day, an' first he had talked to her.

BERND

It may be so, an' it may not be so. I can't tell you. Times is when one can't get a word out o' her. 'Tis not a good thing. An' on that account I'm glad that she'll be the wife of a man who can influence her an' take that sullen way from her. You two are meant for one another. 'Tis well!

The girl needs to be led, an' you have a kind hand an' a gentle one.

AUGUST

When I see that Streckmann, I feel as if I had to look upon the evil one hisself....

BERND

Maybe she thought as the feller meant mischief. He's been a sinner from his childhood on! Many a time his mother complained of it!... It may be!

'Twouldn't surprise no one in him.

AUGUST

When I see that man, I don't seem to be myself no longer. Hot an' cold shudders run down my back, an' I come near to accusin' our Heavenly Father ... because he didn't make me a Samson in strength. Such times, G.o.d forgive me, I have evil thoughts. [_The whizzing of Streckmann's engine is heard._] There he is!

BERND

Don't take no notice of him.

AUGUST

I won't. An' when 'tis all over, I'll shut myself up in my four walls an'

we can lead a quiet life.

BERND

A good, quiet life--G.o.d grant it!

AUGUST

And I don't want to know nothin' of the world no more! The whole business fills me with horror! I have taken such a disgust to the world and to men, that I ... Father, I don't hardly know how to say it ... but when the bitterness o' things rises up into my throat--then I laugh! Then I have a feelin' of peace in the thought of death; and I rejoice in it like a child.

_A number of thirsty field labourers, an old woman and two young girls, all from the estate of the magistrate FLAMM, come hurriedly across the fields. They are HAHN, HEINZEL, GOLISCH, OLD MRS. GOLISCH, OLD KLEINERT, THE HEAD MAID SERVANT and her a.s.sISTANT. The men are clad in trousers, the women have their skirts gathered up, shawls over their b.r.e.a.s.t.s and manicoloured kerchiefs on their heads._

HAHN

[_Thirty years old, bronzed and vigorous._] I'm always the first at the fountain! The rest o' ye c'n run all ye want to! Ye can't never ketch up with me! [_He kneels down and leans over the spring._] Eh, but I'd like to jump right in.

THE a.s.sISTANT MAID

Don't ye dare! We've got a thirst too. [_To the HEAD MAID SERVANT._] Have ye a bit of a cup with ye to dip up the water?

HEAD MAID SERVANT

Hold on there! I comes first.

HEINZEL

[_Pulls the two women back by the shoulders and thrusts himself between them up to the spring._] First comes the men, then the women folks.

KLEINERT

There's s.p.a.ce enough here for us all. Eh, father Bernd? Wish you a good meal.

BERND

Yes, yes. Only no meal's been brought for us to eat yet. We're waitin'

for it--waitin' in vain.

GOLISCH

I ... I ... I'm wet enough to be wrung out! My tongue is lyin' in my mouth, dry as a piece o' charred wood.

OLD MRS. GOLISCH

Water!

KLEINERT

Here 'tis, enough for us all!

_They all drink greedily, some immediately from the surface of the mater, some out of their hollowed hands, others out of their hats or out of little cups and bottles. The sounds of swallowing and of deep relieved breathing are clearly audible._

HEINZEL

[_Getting up._] Water's a good thing but beer would be a better.

HAHN

An' a bit o' brandy wouldn't come amiss neither.

GOLISCH

August, you might be treatin' us to a quart.

OLD MRS. GOLISCH

He'd better invite us all to the weddin'.

GOLISCH

We're all comin' to the weddin'. They says it's to be soon.