[_ After a pause, with apparent calmness._] Well, Mr. Kittelhaus, shall we have our game now? I think there will be no further Interruption. [_He lights a cigar, giving short laughs as he does so; when it is lighted, bursts into a regular fit of laughing._] I'm beginning now to think the whole thing very funny. That fellow! [_Still laughing nervously._] It really is too comical: first came the dispute at dinner with Weinhold--five minutes after that he takes leave--off to the other end of the world; then this affair crops up--and now we'll proceed with our whist. KITTELHAUS Yes, but ... [_Roaring is heard outside._] Yes, but ... that's a terrible uproar they're making outside. DREISSIGER All we have to do is to go into the other room; it won't disturb us in the least there. KITTELHAUS [_Shaking his head._] I wish I knew what has come over these people. In so far I must agree with Mr. Weinhold, or at least till quite lately I was of his opinion, that the weavers were a patient, humble, easily-led class. Was it not your idea of them, too, Mr. Dreissiger? DREISSIGER Most certainly that is what they used to be--patient, easily managed, well-behaved and orderly people. They were that as long as these so-called humanitarians let them alone. But for ever so long now they've had the awful misery of their condition held up to them. Think of all the societies and associations for the alleviation of the distress among the weavers. At last the weaver believes in it himself, and his head's turned. Some of them had better come and turn it back again, for now he's fairly set a-going there's no end to his complaining. This doesn't please him, and that doesn't please him. He must have everything of the best. [_A loud roar of_ "Hurrah!" _is heard from, the crowd._ KITTELHAUS So that with all their humanitarianism they have only succeeded in almost literally turning lambs over night into wolves. DREISSIGER I won't say that, sir. When you take time to think of the matter coolly, it's possible that some good may come of it yet. Such occurrences as this will not pass unnoticed by those in authority, and may lead them to see that things can't be allowed to go on as they are doing--that means must be taken to prevent the utter ruin of our home industries. KITTELHAUS Possibly. But what is the cause, then, of this terrible falling off of trade? DREISSIGER Our best markets have been closed to us by the heavy import duties foreign countries have laid on our goods. At home the competition is a struggle of life and death, for we have no protection, none whatever. PFEIFER [_Staggers in, pale and breathless._] Mr. Dreissiger, Mr. Dreissiger! DREISSIGER [_In the act of walking into the drawing-room, turns round, annoyed._] Well, Pfeifer, what now? PFEIFER Oh, sir! Oh, sir!... It's worse than ever! DREISSIGER What are they up to next? KITTELHAUS You're really alarming us--what is it? PFEIFER