--If I'm put out o' the house ... [_In a voice
choked by tears._] I was born here, and here my father sat at his loom
for more than forty year. Many was the time he said to mother: Mother,
when I'm gone, keep hold o' the house. I've worked hard for it. Every
nail means a night's weavin', every plank a year's dry bread. A man would
think that ...
JAEGER
They're just as like to take the last bite out of your mouth--that's what
they are.
ANSORGE
Well, well, well! I would rather be carried out than have to walk out now
in my old days. Who minds dyin'? My father, he was glad to die. At the
very end he got frightened, but I crept into bed beside him, an' he
quieted down again. Think of it; I was a lad of thirteen then. I was
tired and fell asleep beside him--I knew no better--and when I woke he
was quite cold.
MOTHER BAUMERT
[_After a pause._] Give Ansorge his soup out o' the oven, Bertha.
BERTHA
Here, father Ansorge, it'll do you good.
ANSORGE
[_Eating and shedding tears._] Well, well, well!
[_OLD BAUMERT has begun to eat the meat out of the saucepan._
MOTHER BAUMERT
Father, father, can't you have patience an' let Bertha serve it up
properly?
OLD BAUMERT
[_Chewing.
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