[_Treads firmly with his new shoe._] None of us are getting any younger, Mrs. Fielitz. I'm beginning to feel that quite distinctly myself. Perfectly natural. Nothing to be done about it. We've simply got to make up our minds to that.--And, anyhow, you oughtn't to complain. I heard it said a while ago that your son-in-law had passed his examinations very well. In that case everything is going according to your wishes. MRS. FIELITZ That's true, of course, an' it did make me reel happy too. In the first place he'll be able to get along much better now that he's somethin' like an architect ... an' then, he deserved it all ways.--The kind o' time he had when he was a child! Well, I ain't had no easy time neither, but a father like that ... WEHRHAHN Schmarowski is a fellow of solid worth. I never had any fears for him. Your Adelaide was very lucky there.--You remember my telling you so at the time. You came running over to me that time, you recall, when the engagement was almost broken, and I sent you to Pastor Friederici:--that shows you the value of spiritual advice. A young man is a young man and however Christian and upright his life, he's apt to forget himself once in a while. That's where the natural function of the spiritual adviser comes in. MRS. FIELITZ Yes, yes, I s'ppose you're right enough there. An' I'll never forget what the pastor did for us that time! If Schmarowski had gone an' left the girl, she'd never have lived through it, that's certain. WEHRHAHN There we've got an instance of what happens when a church and a pastor are in a place. The house of God that we've built together has brought many a blessing. So, good evening and good luck to you.--Oh, what I was going to say, Fielitz: the celebration takes place on Monday morning. You will be there surely? MRS. FIELITZ Naturally he'll come. FIELITZ Sure an' certain. WEHRHAHN I would hardly know what to do without you, Fielitz. In the meantime, come in for a moment on Sunday, I'm proposing certain points ... certain very marked points, and we must pull together vigorously. So, good evening! Don't forget--we've got to have a strong parade. FIELITZ That's right. You can't do them things without one. [_Exit WEHRHAHN._ FIELITZ You go an' take that candle out! Will you, please? MRS. FIELITZ You're as easy scared as a rabbit, Anton! That's what you are--a reg'lar rabbit. _She takes the candle out of the little box. Almost at the same moment RAUCHHAUPT opens the door and looks in._ RAUCHHAUPT Good evenin'. Am I intrudin'? FIELITZ -- -- -- -- MRS. FIELITZ Aw, come right into our parlour! RAUCHHAUPT Ain't Langheinrich the smith come in yet? MRS. FIELITZ Was he goin' to come? No, he ain't been here. RAUCHHAUPT We made a special engagement.--I brought along the cross too. Here, Gustav! Bring that there cross in! [_GUSTAV brings in a cross of cast iron with an inscription on it._] Go an' put it down on that there box. FIELITZ