The Governess and the Governess's assistant prepare the food for the guests. The young Governess is excited to learn that her mother has been admitted to the conservatory of music in Berlin. She has been dreaming about the day when she will be able to perform on the same stage as her mother. She tells her employer that if he or she does not behave in a certain way, she will use a portion of the money to pay for her tuition. The girl protests that she cannot take back her words and threatens to withhold her wages if she is not paid on time