The German Classics of the Nineteenth and Twentieth Centuries - BestLightNovel.com
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That is what I call a fine-looking bride!
WILKENS.
And she is not a beggar's child either, Sir.
MoLLER (_politely_).
Who does not know that Mr. Wilkens is her mother's uncle?
WILKENS (_flattered_).
Well, well!
MoLLER.
And Mr. Wilkens need not be ashamed, I believe, of the firm of Stein and Son.
WILKENS (_calmly_).
By no means.
MoLLER (_with great enthusiasm_).
Sir! The firm of Stein and Son! I have served the firm twenty years.
That is my honor and my pride. For me the firm is wife and child!
WILKENS.
I do not doubt it.
MoLLER.
The foremost houses of Germany would consider it an honor to ally themselves in marriage with Stein and Son.
WILKENS. I am sure of it.
[_Turns to the bridal couple_.]
MoLLER (_angrily to himself_).
And that fellow parades his peasant's pride, as if Stein and Son ought to esteem it a high honor to ally themselves with that forester's goose.
His forty-five will be divided into three parts, and only after his death. The only daughter of Lohlein & Co. with her eighty! That were quite a different capital for our business; and cash down today! This mesalliance is unpardonable. But what can one do? One must [_A waltz is heard without_] dance off one's vexation. May I have the honor, madam [_to_ SOPHY] on the lawn?
[_Bows with an old bachelor's jauntiness_.]
STEIN.
I wonder whether I'll get decent cards!
SOPHY.
I guess we'll have time for that?
WILKENS.
Old Wilkens is not yet going to sit in a corner.
[_Fumbles in his pocket_.]
Wilkens must also contribute his dollar for the benefit of the musicians. I hope I have your permission, Mr. Bridegroom?
[MoLLER _leads out_ SOPHY; WILKENS _leads_ MARY; ROBERT _follows_.]
SCENE VI
STEIN; _the_ FORESTER.
STEIN (_throwing down his cards_).
Have I a single trump?
FORESTER (_calling_).
Twenty in spades.
STEIN (_taking up his cards again; impatiently_).
Why not forty? Talking about spades reminds me--have you considered that matter about the clearing?
FORESTER. That fellow is a--
[_They continue to play_.]
STEIN.
What fellow?
FORESTER.
The fellow who hatched that scheme.
STEIN.
Do you mean me?
FORESTER.
