Dangerous? [_To MOTES._] Did you hear that? [_To KRUEGER._] And however much you intrigue, you and your admirable followers, and however you try to undermine my position--you won't force me to abandon my station. KRUEGER Good heavens! _I_ try to undermine your position? Your whole personality is far too unimportant. But you may take my word for this, that if you don't change your tactics completely, you will cause so much trouble that you will make yourself quite impossible. WEHRHAHN [_To MOTES._] I suppose, Mr. Motes, that one must consider his age. KRUEGER I beg to have my complaint recorded. WEHRHAHN [_Turning over the papers on his table._] You will please to send in your complaint in writing. I have no time at this moment. _KRUEGER looks at him in consternation, turns around vigorously, and leaves the office without a word._ WEHRHAHN [_After a pause of embarrassment._] That's the way people annoy me with trifles.--Ugh!--[_To MRS. WOLFF._] You'd better get back to your washing.--I tell you, my dear Motes, a position like mine is made hard enough. If one were not conscious of what one represents here--one might sometimes be tempted to throw up the whole business. But as it is, one's motto must be to stand one's ground bravely. For, after all, what is it that we are defending? The most sacred goods of the nation!-- THE CURTAIN FALLS THE THIRD ACT _It is about eight o'clock in the morning. The scene is the dwelling of MRS. WOLFF. Water for coffee is boiling on the oven. MRS. WOLFF is sitting on a footstool and counting out money on the seat of a chair. JULIUS enters, carrying a slaughtered rabbit._ JULIUS You better go an' hide that there money! MRS. WOLFF [_Absorbed in her calculations, gruffly:_] Don't bother me! [_Silence._ _JULIUS throws the rabbit on a stool. He wanders about irresolutely, picking up one object after another. Finally he sets about blacking a boot. From afar the blowing of a huntsman's horn is heard._ JULIUS [_Listens. Anxious and excited._] I axed you to go an' hide that there money! MRS. WOLFF An' I'm tellin' you not to bother me, Julius. Just let that fool Motes tootle all he wants. He's out in the woods an' ain't thinkin' o' nothin'. JULIUS You go right ahead and land us in gaol! MRS. WOLFF Don't talk that fool talk. The girl's comin'. ADELAIDE [_Comes in, just out of bed._] Good mornin', mama. MRS. WOLFF Did you sleep well? ADELAIDE You was out in the night, wasn't you? MRS. WOLFF I guess you musta been dreamin'. Hurry now! Bring in some wood, an' be quick about it! _ADELAIDE, playing ball with an orange, goes toward the door._ MRS. WOLFF Where did you get that? ADELAIDE Schoebel gave it to me out o' his shop. [_Exit._ MRS. WOLFF