_Amelia:_

I can't understand her. I never could. I always thought it was because
she was a factory-town girl.


_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._]