GRANDMOTHER [_as energetically as possible for her_]. I think you are in error, Curt. In the entire fortune of your grandpa there is not a single copper that was not earned by him in the most honest way. THE DISAGREEABLE YOUNG MAN. But look, grandma,--what I said was--generally in those cases no one-- GRANDMOTHER [_hurt_]. When I tell you this, boy, it _is so_. When I tell you anything, my child, you should never doubt it. THE DISAGREEABLE YOUNG MAN. Yes, grandma, you are quite right. But I maintain that human learning and experience have proved-- THE POLITE YOUNG MAN. Why don't you stop? Do you perhaps want to insult grandma? You are taking too great an advantage of our good nature--I'll tell you that! THE DISAGREEABLE YOUNG MAN. If you folks had any sense-- THE POLITE YOUNG MAN. Don't you know enough.... THE OTHER GRANDCHILDREN. ... to shut up. [_Attacks him._] Indeed. He's right. Stop--shut up! [_The Disagreeable Young Man, in spite of this scene, wants to continue, but the protests of the others drown his voice. He casts a contemptuous look at them, shrugs his shoulders, throws himself on the sofa and begins to read._] THE POLITE YOUNG MAN. Now don't trouble yourself about him any longer, grandma dear. Here, rest yourself nicely in this chair among us. THE JOVIAL YOUNG MAN. There, grandma! The old folks are there at table. We young people are here in the fresh air. We lacked only the youngest one of us all. And here you are. [_There is a glad assent as the Grandmother sits down._] THE VIVACIOUS GIRL. Are you quite comfortable, grandma dear? Would you like something to rest your feet on? GRANDMOTHER. Thanks, my child, I am quite all right, and I am very happy. THE BLOND YOUNG LADY. Yes, grandma, you ought to feel happy. THE BRUNETTE YOUNG LADY. How young you look, and how lovely and rosy! THE BRIDE. Grandma? GRANDMOTHER. What is it, my angel? THE BRIDE. Tell me, how does a woman manage so that she is admired by her husband for full fifty years, as you are by grandfather? THE BRUNETTE YOUNG LADY. Yes, how did you manage that? GRANDMOTHER. You will all be loved and admired after fifty years as I have been. A person must be good. We must love each other. THE POLITE YOUNG MAN. But, grandmother, is it not wonderful at seventy and seventy-five to love so beautifully and purely as you and grandfather have loved? GRANDMOTHER. You must always be good and patient with each other, and brave. Never lose courage. THE VIVACIOUS GIRL. But look, grandma, not even I could be as brave as you have been. And no one can ever say that I lose courage. [_They all laugh._] I still shudder when I think how in those days in March of Forty-eight you had to run away! Or in the Sixties when the city was bombarded, you with my mamma and Aunt Olga escaped from the burning house....