Volume 9 / Act 1 — SCENE III
Reading edition
The same. Enter the FORESTER, his Wife behind him. As soon as MARY sees the FORESTER, she leaves ROBERT and embraces her father.
FORESTER.
Get out, wench! [Tearing himself free.] Is this the sun's ray after a rainy day, that the gadflies come buzzing about one's head? Have you filled Robert's ears with lamentations, you women folks? You silly girl there!
[Pushes MARY from him.]
I have something to say to Robert. I have been looking for you, Mr. Stein.
ROBERT.
Mr. Stein? No longer Robert?
FORESTER.
Everything has its due season, familiar speech and formal speech. When the women folks are gone—
SOPHY.
Don't worry, we'll retreat, you old bear. Don't be afraid to talk.
FORESTER.
All right. As soon as you are out.
ROBERT (leads her out).
Don't be angry, mother dear.
SOPHY.
If I were to mind him, I should never cease being angry.
FORESTER.
Close the door! Do you hear?
SOPHY.
Hush, hush!
FORESTER.
Who is master here? Confound it!