-the case was very different: my intended was a German. I was
to live among Germans the rest of my life; and so I had to learn. Why,
bless my heart! I nearly lost the man the first time he asked me--I
thought he was talking about the measles. They were very prevalent
at the time. Told him I didn't want any in mine. But I found out the
mistake, and I was fixed for him next time.... Oh yes, Mr. Stephenson, a
sweetheart's a prime incentive.

S. (Aside.) Good soul! she doesn't suspect that my plan is a double
scheme--includes a speaking knowledge of German, which I am bound
they shall have, and the keeping them away from those two young
fellows--though if I had known that those boys were going off for a
year's foreign travel, I--however, the girls would never learn that
language at home; they're here, and I won't relent--they've got to stick
the three months out. (Aloud.) So they are making poor progress? Now
tell me--will they learn it--after a sort of fashion, I mean--in three
months?

WIRTHIN. Well, now, I'll tell you the only chance I see. Do what I will,
they won't answer my German with anything but English; if that goes on,
they'll stand stock-still. Now I'm willing to do this: I'll straighten
everything up, get matters in smooth running order, and day after
to-morrow I'll go to bed sick, and stay sick three weeks.

S. Good! You are an angel? I see your idea. The servant girl--

WIRTHIN. That's it; that's my project. She doesn't know a word of
English. And Gretchen's a real good soul, and can talk the slates off a
roof. Her tongue's just a flutter-mill. I'll keep my room--just ailing a
little--and they'll never see my face except when they pay their little
duty-visits to me, and then I'll say English disorders my mind. They'll
be shut up with Gretchen's windmill, and she'll just grind them to
powder. Oh, they'll get a start in the language--sort of a one, sure's
you live. You come back in three weeks.

S. Bless you, my Retterin! I'll be here to the day! Get ye to your
sick-room--you shall have treble pay. (Looking at watch.) Good! I can
just catch my train. Leben Sie wohl! (Exit.)

WIRTHIN. Leben Sie wohl! mein Herr!

ACT II. SCENE I.

Time, a couple of days later. The girls discovered with their work and
primers.

ANNIE. Was fehlt der Wirthin?

MARGARET. Das weiss ich nicht. Sie ist schon vor zwei Tagen ins Bett
gegangen--

A. My! how fliessend you speak!

M. Danke schon--und sagte dass sie nich