The German Classics of the Nineteenth and Twentieth Centuries Volume Ix Part 82

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.