American. [Jumping on to a trunk—­with enthusiasm] Bully!

     [The English clap their hands; the Dutch youth laughs.  The
     official is muttering, greatly incensed.]

American.  What does that body-snatcher say?

German.  He say this man use the baby to save himself from arrest. 
Very smart he say.

American.  I judge you do him an injustice. [Showing off the little man with a sweep of his arm.] This is a white man.  He’s got a black baby, and he won’ leave it in the lurch.  Guess we would all act noble that way, give us the chance.

[The little man rises, holding out the baby, and advances a step or two.  The half-moon at once gives, increasing its size; the American climbs on to a higher trunk.  The little man retires and again sits down.]

American. [Addressing the official] Guess you’d better go out of business and wait for the mother.

Official. [Stamping his foot] Die Mutter sall ’rested be for taking out baby mit typhus.  Ha! [To the little man] Put ze baby down!

     [The little man smiles.]

Do you ’ear?

American. [Addressing the official] Now, see here.  ’Pears to me you don’t suspicion just how beautiful this is.  Here we have a man giving his life for that old baby that’s got no claim on him.  This is not a baby of his own making.  No, sir, this is a very Christ-like proposition in the gentleman.

Official.  Put ze baby down, or ich will goummand someone it to do.

American.  That will be very interesting to watch.

Official. [To policeman] Dake it vrom him.

     [The policeman mutters, but does not.]

American. [To the German] Guess I lost that.

German.  He say he is not his officier.

American.  That just tickles me to death.

Official. [Looking round] Vill nobody dake ze Bub’?

ENGLISHWOMAN. [Moving a step faintly] Yes—­I——­

Englishman. [Grasping her arm].  By Jove!  Will you!

Official. [Gathering himself for a great effort to take the baby, and advancing two steps] Zen I goummand you—­[He stops and his voice dies away] Zit dere!

American.  My!  That’s wonderful.  What a man this is!  What a sublime sense of duty!

     [The Dutch youth laughs.  The official turns on him, but as he
     does so the mother of the Busy is seen hurrying.]

Mother.  ‘Ach!  Ach!  Mei’ Bubi’!

     [Her face is illumined; she is about to rush to the little man.]

Official. [To the policeman] ‘Nimm die Frau’!