[_Still confused._] I never saw the like. Good Lord--The superintendent himself ... they'll catch it for this yet. DREISSIGER What's the matter with you, in the devil's name? Is any one's neck broken? PFEIFER [_Almost crying with fear, screams._] They've set Moritz Jaeger free--they've thrashed the superintendent and driven him away--they've thrashed the policeman and sent him off too--without his helmet ... his sword broken ... Oh dear, oh dear! DREISSIGER I think you've gone crazy, Pfeifer. KITTELHAUS This is actual riot. PFEIFER [_Sitting on a chair, his whole body trembling._] It's turning serious, Mr. Dreissiger! Mr. Dreissiger, it's serious now! DREISSIGER Well, if that's all the police ... PFEIFER Mr. Dreissiger, it's serious now! DREISSIGER Damn it all, Pfeifer, will you hold your tongue? MRS. DREISSIGER [_Coming out of the drawing-room with MRS. KITTELHAUS._] This is really too bad, William. Our whole pleasant evening's being spoiled. Here's Mrs. Kittelhaus saying that she'd better go home. KITTELHAUS You mustn't take it amiss, dear Mrs. Dreissiger, but perhaps, under the circumstances, it _would_ be better ... MRS. DREISSIGER But, William, why in the world don't you go out and put a stop to it? DREISSIGER You go and see if you can do it. Try! Go and speak to them! [_Standing in front of the pastor, abruptly._] Am I such a tyrant? Am I a cruel master? _Enter JOHN the coachman._ JOHN If you please, m'm, I've put to the horses. Mr. Weinhold's put Georgie and Charlie into the carriage. If it comes to the worst, we're ready to be off. MRS. DREISSIGER If what comes to the worst? JOHN I'm sure I don't know, m'm. But I'm thinkin' this way: The crowd's gettin' bigger and bigger, an' they've sent the superintendent an' the p'liceman to the right-about. PFEIFER It's gettin' serious now, Mr. Dreissiger! It's serious! MRS. DREISSIGER [_With increasing alarm._] What's going to happen?--What do the people want?--They're never going to attack us, John? JOHN There's some rascally hounds among 'em, ma'am. PFEIFER It's serious now! serious! DREISSIGER Hold your tongue, fool!--Are the doors barred? KITTELHAUS I ask you as a favour, Mr. Dreissiger ... as a favour ... I am determined to ... I ask you as a favour ... [_To JOHN._] What demands are the people making? JOHN [_Awkwardly._] It's higher wages they're after, the blackguards. KITTELHAUS Good, good!--I shall go out and do my duty. I shall speak seriously to these people. JOHN Oh sir, please sir, don't do any such thing. Words is quite useless. KITTELHAUS One little favour, Mr. Dreissiger. May I ask you to post men behind the door, and to have it closed at once after me? MRS. KITTELHAUS O Joseph, Joseph! you're not really going out? KITTELHAUS I am. Indeed I am. I know what I'm doing. Don't be afraid. God will protect me. [_MRS. KITTELHAUS presses his hand, draws back, and wipes tears from her eyes._ KITTELHAUS