[_Hangs up his scythe on the wall._] Ye'd better not let that Spiller creature get wind o' it.

AUGUSTE

Oh, Lord, no! Who'd think o' it!

LIESE

A poor woman like that with eight--

AUGUSTE

Eight little brats. They wants to be fed!

LIESE

An' they wouldn't give her a drop o' milk even. It's low, that's what I calls it.

AUGUSTE

Where is she milkin'?

LIESE

Way back there.

BEIPST

[_Fills his pipe. Holding his tobacco-pouch with his teeth he mumbles._]

Ye say Marie's gone?

LIESE

Yes, it's true an' certain. The parson's hired man slept with her.

BEIPST

[_Replacing the tobacco-pouch in his pocket._] Everybody feels that way sometimes--even a woman. [_He lights his pipe and disappears through the gateway. In going:_] I'm goin' fer a bit o' breakfast.

THE COACHMAN'S WIFE

[_Hiding the pot full of milk carefully under her ap.r.o.n, sticks her head out of the stable door._] Anybody in sight?

LIESE

Ye c'n come if ye'll hurry. There ain't n.o.body. Come! Hurry!

THE COACHMAN'S WIFE

[_Pa.s.sing by the maids._] It's fer the nursin' baby.

LIESE

[_Calling out after her._] Hurry! Some one's comin'.

_THE COACHMAN'S WIFE disappears between the house and the stable._

AUGUSTE

It's only the young Miss.

_The maids now finish unloading their wheelbarrows and then thrust them under the doorway. They both go into the cow-shed._

_HELEN and LOTH enter by the gate._

LOTH

A disgusting fellow--this Kahl--an insolent sneak.

HELEN

I think in the arbour in front--[_They pa.s.s through the small gate into the little garden by the house and into the arbour._] It's my favourite place, I'm less disturbed there than anywhere if, sometimes, I want to read something.

LOTH

It's a pretty place.--Really. [_Both sit down in the arbour, consciously keeping at some distance from one another. An interval of silence. Then LOTH._] You have very beautiful and abundant hair.

HELEN

Yes, my brother-in-law says so too. He thought he had scarcely seen anyone with so much--not even in the city ... The braid at the top is as thick as my wrist ... When I let it down, it reaches to my knees. Feel it. It's like silk, isn't it?

LOTH

It is like silk.

[_A tremour pa.s.ses through him. He bends down and kisses her hair._

HELEN

[_Frightened._] Ah, don't. If ...

LOTH

Helen! Were you in earnest a while ago?

HELEN

Oh, I am so ashamed--so deeply ashamed. What have I done? Why, I've thrown myself at you. That's what I've done. I wonder what you take me for?

LOTH