Scene II.

(_At this moment the door opens, the mother appears, whereupon the children jump up quickly._)

MOTHER.

Hallo!

HÄNSEL AND GRETEL.

Heavens! Here's mother!

MOTHER.

What is all this disturbance?

GRETEL.

'Twas Hänsel, he wanted--

HÄNSEL.

'Twas Gretel, she said I--

MOTHER.

Silence, idle and ill-behaved children!

(_The mother comes in, unstraps the basket, and puts it down._)

Call you it working, yodelling and singing? As though 'twere fair time, hopping and springing! And while your parents from early morning till late at night are slaving and toiling! Take that!

(_Gives Hänsel a box on the ear._)

Now come, let's see what you've done. Why, Gretel, your stocking not ready yet? And you, you lazybones, have you nothing to show? Pray how many besoms have you finished? I'll fetch my stick, you useless children, and make your idle fingers tingle!

(_In her indignation at the children she gives the milk-jug a push, so that it falls off the table with a smash._)

Gracious! there goes the jug all to pieces! What now can I cook for supper?

(_She looks at her dress, down which the milk is streaming. Hänsel covertly titters._)

How, saucy, how dare you laugh?

(_Goes with a stick after Hänsel, who runs out at the open door._)

Wait, wait till the father comes home!

(_With sudden energy she snatches a basket from the wall, and pokes it into Gretel's hands._)

Off, off, to the wood! There seek for strawberries! Quick, away! And if you don't bring the basket brimful, I'll whip you so that you'll both run away!

(_The children run off into the wood. She sits down exhausted by the table._)

Alas! there my poor jug lies all in pieces! Yes, blind excitement only brings ruin. O Heaven, send help to me! Nought have I to give them--

(_Sobbing._)

No bread, not a crumb, for my starving children! No crust in the cupboard, no milk in the pot--

(_Resting her head on her hands._)

Weary am I, weary of living! Father, send help to me!

(_Lays her head down on her arm and drops to sleep._)