[_Goes out._
[_The rioters are now all gone. The entry-room, gradually fills again
with curious onlookers from the different rooms of the house. OLD
HILSE knots at his web. GOTTLIEB has taken an axe from behind the
stove and is unconsciously feeling its edge. He and the old man are
silently agitated. The hum and roar of a great crowd penetrate into
the room._
MOTHER HILSE
The very boards is shakin', father--what's goin' on? What's goin' to
happen to us?
[_Pause._]
OLD HILSE
Gottlieb!
GOTTLIEB
What is it?
OLD HILSE
Let that axe alone.
GOTTLIEB
Who's to split the wood, then?
[_He leans the axe against the stove._
[_Pause._]
MOTHER HILSE
Gottlieb, you listen, to what father says to you.
[_Some one sings outside the window:_
Our little man does all that he can,
Heigh-ho, heigh!
At home he cleans the pots an' the pan,
Heigh-diddle-di-dum-di!
[_Passes on._
GOTTLIEB
[_Jumps up, shakes his clenched fist at the window._] Beast! Don't drive
me crazy!
[_A volley of musketry is heard._
MOTHER HILSE
[_Starts and trembles._] Good Lord! Is that thunder again?
OLD HILSE
[_Instinctively folding his hands.
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