Bernick: What can't you help? Their being your relations? No,
that is quite true.

Mrs. Bernick: And I did not ask them to come home.

Bernick: That's it--go on! "I did not ask them to come home; I did
not write to them; I did not drag them home by the hair of their
heads!" Oh, I know the whole rigmarole by heart.

Mrs. Bernick (bursting into tears): You need not be so unkind--

Bernick: Yes, that's right--begin to cry, so that our neighbours
may have that to gossip about too. Do stop being so foolish,
Betty. Go and sit outside; some one may come in here. I don't
suppose you want people to see the lady of the house with red
eyes? It would be a nice thing, wouldn't it, if the story got out
about that--. There, I hear some one in the passage. (A knock is
heard at the door.) Come in! (MRS. BERNICK takes her sewing and
goes out down the garden steps. AUNE comes in from the right.)

Aune: Good morning, Mr. Bernick.

Bernick: Good morning. Well, I suppose you can guess what I want
you for?

Aune: Mr. Krap told me yesterday that you were not pleased with--

Bernick: I am displeased with the whole management of the yard,
Aune. The work does not get on as quickly as it ought. The "Palm