He stammers._
KAHL
G-good evening everybody!
[_He sees LOTH, is much embarrassed and, standing still, cuts a
rather sorry figure._
HOFFMANN
[_Steps up to him and shakes hands with him encouragingly._] Good
evening, Mr. Kahl.
HELEN
[_Ungraciously._] Good evening.
KAHL
[_Strides with heavy steps diagonally across the room to HELEN and takes
her hand._] Evenin' t'you, Nellie.
HOFFMANN
[_To LOTH._] Permit me to introduce our neighbour's son, Mr. Kahl.
[_KAHL grins and fidgets with his hat. Constrained silence._
HOFFMANN
Come, let's sit down, then. Is anybody missing? Ah, our mama! Miele,
request Mrs. Krause to come to supper.
[_MIELE leaves by the middle door._
MIELE
[_Is heard in the hall, calling out._] Missus! Missus!! You're to come
down--to come'n eat!
[_HELEN and HOFFMANN exchange a look of infinite comprehension and
laugh. Then, by a common impulse, they look at LOTH._
HOFFMANN
[_To LOTH._] Rustic simplicity!
_MRS. KRAUSE appears, incredibly overdressed. Silk and costly jewels.
Her dress and bearing betray hard arrogance, stupid pride and
half-mad vanity._
HOFFMANN
Ah, there is mama! Permit me to introduce to you my friend Dr.
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