Don't permit that to make any impression on you! Where would any of us be, if we let such things affect us? Any one who goes to church nowadays has the whole world hooting him. You just stick to me. [_He rummages among the papers on his table._] By the way, I succeeded in saving something here--a picture of your late husband. At least, I believe that that's what it is. It was framed in deer's feet. [_He finds the picture and hands it to MRS. FIELITZ._] Here! _MRS. FIELITZ takes the picture, grasps WEHRHAHN'S hand with a swift motion and kisses it, weeping._ EDE [_Audibly._] Has anybody maybe got a bit o' sponge in his pocket, 'cause, you see, stockin's don't absorb so much water. WEHRHAHN Make a note of that fellow, Glasenapp! Out with him! At once! You are to withdraw! _EDE withdraws with absurd gestures of his arms and legs. Suppressed laughter._ WEHRHAHN I'm really very much surprised at you, Langheinrich. That fellow has a regular felon's face. One of those knife ruffians; a regular socialist. He's been in gaol several times on account of street brawls. And that's the kind of a man that you take into your shop and home. LANGHEINRICH All that don't concern me, your honour. I don't mix in politics. WEHRHAHN Oh, is that so? We can afford to wait and see. LANGHEINRICH If a feller goes an' does his work all right ... WEHRHAHN Nonsense! Mere twaddle! Let any one tell me with whom he associates and I will tell him who he is. _The murmuring and chattering of a crowd is heard. Constable SCHULZE enters in full uniform._ WEHRHAHN Where have you been all day? SCHULZE [_Utterly disconcerted for some moments. Then:_] We nabbed the boy, your honour. WEHRHAHN Is that so? Who did it? SCHULZE Me and Tschache. WEHRHAHN Where? SCHULZE Right near here; by the church. GLASENAPP He always sits there and listens to the bells. WEHRHAHN Why didn't you tell us that before? Did he try to escape? Did he run from you? SCHULZE He sat in the ditch an' didn't notice us. Tschache could ride close up to him. An' then we got him by the scruff an' had him tight. [_He steps back and grasps GUSTAV, whom_ TSCHACHE is leading in. Members of the crowd press forward._ WEHRHAHN H-m! At all events he is here. I'm rather sorry, I must say. He's the son of a former Prussian constable ... Has any one informed old Rauchhaupt? Somebody had better go for him. MRS. SCHULZE I'm takin' care of a sick person, your honour. Maybe I might be able to get off now? WEHRHAHN Prepare the record, Glasenapp. No, Mrs. Schulze, you'll have to remain here for the present. The matter will be finished soon enough.--So let us prepare the record ... [_He leans back in his chair and stares at the ceiling as if collecting his thoughts for the purpose of dictating._ LANGHEINRICH