[_While the dull murmur of a great, excited crowd is heard uninterruptedly outside._] I'll go ... I'll go out as if I were simply on my way home. I shall see if my sacred office ... if the people have not sufficient respect for me left to ... I shall try ... [_He takes his hat and stick._] Forward, then, in God's name! [_Goes out accompanied by DREISSIGER, PFEIFER and JOHN._ MRS. KITTELHAUS Oh, dear Mrs. Dreissiger! [_She bursts into tears and embraces her._] I do trust nothing will happen to him. MRS. DREISSIGER [_Absently._] I don't know how it is, Mrs. Kittelhaus, but I ... I can't tell you how I feel. I didn't think such a thing was possible. It's ... it's as if it was a sin to be rich. If I had been told about all this beforehand, Mrs. Kittelhaus, I don't know but what I would rather have been left in my own humble position. MRS. KITTELHAUS There are troubles and disappointments in every condition of life, Mrs. Dreissiger. MRS. DREISSIGER True, true, I can well believe that. And suppose we have more than other people ... goodness me! we didn't steal it. It's been honestly got, every penny of it. It's not possible that the people can be goin' to attack us! If trade's bad, that's not William's fault, is it? [_A tumult of roaring is heard outside. While the two women stand gazing at each other, pale and startled, DREISSIGER rushes in._ DREISSIGER Quick, Rosa--put on something, and get into the carriage. I'll be after you this moment. [_He rushes to the strong-box, and takes out papers and various articles of value._ _Enter JOHN._ JOHN We're ready to start. But come quickly, before they gets round to the back door. MRS. DREISSIGER [_In a transport of fear, throwing her arms around JOHN'S neck._] John, John, dear, good John! Save us, John. Save my boys! Oh, what is to become of us? DREISSIGER Rosa, try to keep your head. Let John go. JOHN Yes, yes, ma'am! Don't you be frightened. Our good horses'll soon leave them all behind; an' whoever doesn't get out of the way'll be driven over. MRS. KITTELHAUS [_In helpless anxiety._] But my husband ... my husband? But, Mr. Dreissiger, my husband? DREISSIGER He's in safety now, Mrs. Kittelhaus. Don't alarm yourself; he's all right. MRS. KITTELHAUS Something dreadful has happened to him. I know it. You needn't try to keep it from me. DREISSIGER You mustn't take it to heart--they'll be sorry for it yet. I know exactly whose fault it was. Such an unspeakable, shameful outrage will not go unpunished. A community laying hands on its own pastor and maltreating him--abominable! Mad dogs they are--raging brutes--and they'll be treated as such. [_To his wife who still stands petrified._] Go, Rosa, go quickly! [_Heavy blows at the lower door are heard._] Don't you hear? They've gone stark mad! [_The clatter of window-panes being smashed on the ground-floor is heard._] They've gone crazy. There's nothing for it but to get away as fast as we can.