Third Gossip:
My word, yes! Everybody here’s cursing and looking out for somewhere to go to. And those who can’t are downright miserable. Just think of all the suicides!
First Gossip:
Blessed Virgin! Only the day before yesterday there was another of ’em hanged himself; he was quite a young fellow and left a letter behind him. “Forgive me,” he wrote in it; “I shall be better off. No more happiness will bloom for me here. I am departing for more beautiful regions.”
Second Gossip:
Good gracious! But how nicely he put the letter together. Why, even Mr. Pieris couldn’t have done it so nice. “No more happiness will bloom for me here. I am departing for more beautiful regions”
First Gossip:
No, indeed. Well, he has a good time of it; he just writes poems and has no worries. And here am I, not knowing whether I’m standing on my head or my heels.
First, Second and Third Gossips:
O Lord! O Lord! it’s beginning again.
First Gossip:
No, thank Heaven, that was only a shutter.
Second Gossip:
Holy Saviour! what a fright I had again!
