HOW FATHER AND SON OPERATE ON A SERVANT
[Things now run like a newly oiled machine; but Joggeli is discontented
and constantly seeks cause for complaint against Uli. He arranges with
the miller to have the latter attempt to bribe Uli, to see what he will
do. Uli dresses down the miller, and the latter, to clear himself,
betrays the instigator of the plan. Uli at once begins to pack up, while
the mistress, informed by the miller, chides her husband. With great
difficulty the latter is induced to beg Uli's pardon and assure him that
the offense will not be repeated. The harvest goes on this year as never
before. Joggeli's son Johannes comes with his wife Trinette and three
children for the harvest festival. Trinette is the same kind of fool as
Elsie; they think of nothing but their finery, their ailments, and their
supposedly fine manners. This annual visit is always a torment. Trinette
plays the grand lady, the children are a constant nuisance, and the
whole house is in an uproar. Johannes takes a fancy to Uli, and offers
him any amount of pay to take a place with him. Freneli overhears the
conversation and tells the mistress, who is enraged with Johannes.
Joggeli bursts out into a tirade against Freneli.]