Yes; it’s shameful the way things go on. Only last New Year, when the managership of the Savings Bank fell vacant, what must they do but give Monsen the go-by, and choose an individual that knew—[_Coughs_]—that knew how to keep his purse-strings drawn—which our princely host obviously does not. Whenever there’s a post of confidence going, it’s always the same! Never Monsen—always some one that enjoys the confidence—of the people in power. Well, well; _commune suffragium_, as the Roman Law puts it; that means shipwreck in the Common Council, sir.[12] It’s a shame! Your health! MONSEN. Thanks! But, to change the subject—how are all your law-suits getting on? HEIRE. They are still pending; I can say no more for the present. What endless annoyance they do give me! Next week I shall have to summon the whole Town Council before the Arbitration Commission.[13] BASTIAN. Is it true that you once summoned yourself before the Arbitration Commission? HEIRE. Myself? Yes; but I didn’t put in an appearance. MONSEN. Ha, ha! You didn’t, eh? HEIRE. I had a sufficient excuse: had to cross the river, and it was unfortunately the very year of Bastian’s bridge—plump! down it went, you know—— BASTIAN. Why, confound it all——! HEIRE. Take it coolly, young man! You are not the first that has bent the bow till it breaks. Everything runs in families, you know——I say no more. MONSEN. Ho ho ho! You say no more, eh? Well, drink, then, and say no more! [_To_ STENSGÅRD.] You see, Mr. Heire’s tongue is licensed to wag as it pleases. HEIRE. Yes, freedom of speech is the only civic right I really value. STENSGÅRD. What a pity the law should restrict it. HEIRE. Hee-hee! Our legal friend’s mouth is watering for a nice action for slander, eh? Make your mind easy, my dear sir! I’m an old hand, let me tell you! STENSGÅRD. Especially at slander? HEIRE. Your pardon, young man! That outburst of indignation does honour to your heart. I beg you to forget an old man’s untimely frankness about your absent friends. STENSGÅRD. Absent friends? HEIRE. I have nothing to say against the son, of course—nor against the daughter. And if I happened to cast a passing slur upon the Chamberlain’s character—— STENSGÅRD. The Chamberlain’s? Is it the Chamberlain’s family you call my friends? HEIRE. Well, you don’t pay visits to your enemies, I presume? BASTIAN.