STEIN.

He thinks I have not the power?

[More composed.]

If he only thought I had not the intention!—­And you have tried everything?

MOeLLER.

Everything.

STEIN.

Did you also threaten him with Godfrey?  As if he were to be appointed forester, as if you were to deliver to him his commission immediately, in case—­

MOeLLER.

As if I were to?—­My instructions were more definite.  I bring you
Godfrey’s respectful acknowledgment; he accepts the position.

STEIN.

He ac—­he accepts it?  He really accepts it?  What an obliging man he is, that Godfrey!  And you into the bargain—­with your haste.  Have you entirely lost your senses, sir?  The whole thing was intended to scare Ulrich.  I wanted him to listen to reason—­to yield.  And if in the first heat I actually did say it as you understood it, you should have interpreted it differently.  You know that in my heart I am not thinking of dismissing that old man who is worth a thousand times more—­but you understand it, you understood it right, but—­now that it is too late, I recall you always opposed this marriage.

MOeLLER.

I have served the firm of Stein and Son for twenty years, time enough to learn at last that one can serve too faithfully.  I have done nothing but execute your instructions literally.  And if, in spite of that, you persist in misjudging me, then this must be my consolation.  I have never compromised the dignity of Stein and Son.

[Sits down to work.]

STEIN.

Then the dignity of Stein and Son may thank you for what you have done; I shall not. [Pause.] And yet, when one considers the matter calmly, what else was to be done?  After all that took place?  Don’t be uneasy; I simply asserted myself as master.

PASTOR.

That is quite a new sensation!

STEIN.

Now I have confronted him with that confounded alternative, before old Wilkens there.  Surely, I cannot—­confound the rash word!—­a word that in my innermost heart I did not mean seriously, and which now becomes fate, because I did not take the pains to keep that word under control.

PASTOR.

Indeed! it is exceedingly disagreeable for discretion to acknowledge the debts that passion has contracted.  Why, in the name of common sense, did you not have your quarrel by yourselves, as usual?

STEIN (who has been walking up and down).

No, it will not do.  And yet, if I think of those hot-headed boys—­Moeller, please send immediately for my Robert; send some one to find him and tell him that I must speak with him.

[Exit MOeLLER, and returns soon.]

STEIN.