I can rid myself of the conception no longer that it is time at last to open a window here. ZUNGENSCHLAG. Th- th- there is an a- a- at- atmosphere here li- li- like th- th- that of the cata- catacombs, like that in the document room of the former Cha-Cha-Chamber of Justice at Wetzlar. SONNENSTICH. Habebald! HABEBALD. At your service, Herr Rector. SONNENSTICH. Open a window. Thank God there's fresh air enough outside.----Has any other gentleman anything to say? FLIEGENTOD. If my associate wants to have a window opened, I haven't the least objection to it. Only I should like to ask that the window opened is not the one directly behind my back! SONNENSTICH. Habebald! HABEBALD. At your service, Herr Rector. SONNENSTICH. Open the other window!----Has any other gentleman anything to remark? HUNGERGURT. Without wishing to increase the controversy, I should like to recall the important fact that the other window has been walled up since vacation. SONNENSTICH. Habebald! HABEBALD. At your service, Herr Rector. SONNENSTICH. Leave the other window shut!----I find it necessary, gentlemen, to put this matter to a vote. I request those who are in favor of having the only window which can enter into this discussion opened to rise from their seats. (_He counts._) One, two, three----one, two, three----Habebald! HABEBALD. At your service, Herr Rector. SONNENSTICH. Leave that window shut likewise! I, for my part, am of the opinion that the air here leaves nothing to be desired!----Has any gentleman anything further to remark?----Let us suppose that we omitted to move the expulsion of our guilty pupil before the National Board of Education, then the National Board of Education would hold us responsible for the misfortune which has overwhelmed us. Of the various grammar schools visited by the epidemic of self-murder, those in which the devastation of self-murder has reached 25 per cent. have been closed by the National Board of Education. It is our duty, as the guardians and protectors of our institute, to protect our institute from this staggering blow. It grieves us deeply, gentlemen, that we are not in a position to consider the other qualifications of our guilt-laden pupil as mitigating circumstances. An indulgent treatment, which would allow our guilty pupil to be vindicated, would not in any conceivable way imaginable vindicate the present imperiled existence of our institute. We see ourselves under the necessity of judging the guilt-laden that we may not be judged guilty ourselves.----Habebald! HABEBALD. At your service, Herr Rector! SONNENSTICH. Bring him up! (_Exit Habebald._) ZUNGENSCHLAG. If the pre-present atmosphere leaves little or nothing to desire, I should like to suggest that the other window be walled up during the summer va- va- va- vacation. FLIEGENTOD.