[Counts once more, softly.] Correct! WEILER. That was a queer expression that Godfrey had on his face yesterday, Mr. Andrew. I bet you had another quarrel with him. SOPHY. With that vindictive brutal fellow? [_She sets the table._] ANDREW. Who can live in peace with him? SOPHY. Well, what's done can't be undone. But you'd better look out for him. WEILER. So say I. For there is not a muscle in that fellow's body which is not wicked. ANDREW. I am not afraid of him. SOPHY. Come, William; run into the garden. Get me some crown-imperials, snap-dragons, larkspurs--something big, so that it will look like something in the glass. The Steins will soon be here with Mr. Möller, the bookkeeper. WEILER. The old bachelor-- SOPHY. Just look, Andrew, whether cousin Wilkens isn't coming yet. [_ANDREW and WILLIAM exeunt._] WEILER. Wilkens is coming too? SOPHY (with emphasis). Mr. Wilkens? He will not stay away when his niece's daughter announces her engagement. WEILER. No, indeed. He has money, has Mr. Wilkens. The richest farmer for miles around. I also was Mr. Weiler once, before my creditors closed up my coffee store. Then they jammed the "Mr." in the door and there it is still. Now people say simply "Weiler"--"Weiler might"--"As long as Weiler is here," etc. Sometimes, when I am in the humor, I get angry over it. A strange pleasure, to get angry, but it is a pleasure. Hey! There comes the bride-to-be. [_MARY appears; during the following dialogue the women set the table._] WEILER. My! Like a squirrel! SOPHY. Weiler means to pay you a compliment, Mary. He has a peculiar manner. WEILER. That is true. It does not matter whether the flattery is coarse or fine. If a woman only notices that one means to flatter her, she is satisfied. It is just as when boys stroke a kitten. Whether they pet it gently or roughly, whether it likes it or not, it cannot help purring. MARY. And I presume you mean to pet me with this comparison. WEILER. If you feel obliged to purr it must have been a petting. MARY (looking out of the window). He is coming, mother. SOPHY. Who? Robert? WEILER. I had better be off to my wood-cutters. Otherwise the old man will make a row. [Exit.] SOPHY (calling after him). If you cannot come in I will save your portion. An uncomfortable fellow! And it is not likely that he will acquire polite manners at this late day. That is a relic of his better days. And for that reason your father is indulgent with him because they were old comrades. Godfrey also was one of them. When he had wasted his property in drink he fell in with Stein. [_Surveying the table_.] Here at the head the father of the bridegroom; next to him your father; then the good droll pastor. If it had not been for him, Robert would have gone long ago. MARY. Mother, at that time Robert was so wild, so impetuous-- SOPHY.