And now can anybody say that this woman is not clever enough to get one under her thumb. But let us have cards. I had to promise Stein that he should have his revenge today before lunch-- STEIN. Revenge I must have. [_The_ FORESTER _and_ STEIN _sit down opposite each other on the right side of the stage and play cards_.] SOPHY (_watches them a moment; then to_ ROBERT, _while going to and fro with an air of being very busy_). I hope to heaven they are not going to discuss the clearing of the forest today. MÖLLER (_on the left side, stepping up to_ WILKENS _and pointing to_ MARY, _who is talking to her mother and_ ROBERT). That is what I call a fine-looking bride! WILKENS. And she is not a beggar's child either, Sir. MÖLLER (_politely_). Who does not know that Mr. Wilkens is her mother's uncle? WILKENS (_flattered_). Well, well! MÖLLER. And Mr. Wilkens need not be ashamed, I believe, of the firm of Stein and Son. WILKENS (_calmly_). By no means. MÖLLER (_with great enthusiasm_). Sir! The firm of Stein and Son! I have served the firm twenty years. That is my honor and my pride. For me the firm is wife and child! WILKENS. I do not doubt it. MÖLLER. The foremost houses of Germany would consider it an honor to ally themselves in marriage with Stein and Son. WILKENS. I am sure of it. [_Turns to the bridal couple_.] MÖLLER (_angrily to himself_). And that fellow parades his peasant's pride, as if Stein and Son ought to esteem it a high honor to ally themselves with that forester's goose. His forty-five will be divided into three parts, and only after his death. The only daughter of Löhlein & Co. with her eighty! That were quite a different capital for our business; and cash down today! This mesalliance is unpardonable. But what can one do? One must [_A waltz is heard without_] dance off one's vexation. May I have the honor, madam [_to_ SOPHY] on the lawn? [_Bows with an old bachelor's jauntiness_.] STEIN. I wonder whether I'll get decent cards! SOPHY. I guess we'll have time for that? WILKENS. Old Wilkens is not yet going to sit in a corner. [_Fumbles in his pocket_.] Wilkens must also contribute his dollar for the benefit of the musicians. I hope I have your permission, Mr. Bridegroom? [MÖLLER _leads out_ SOPHY; WILKENS _leads_ MARY; ROBERT _follows_.] SCENE VI STEIN; _the_ FORESTER. STEIN (_throwing down his cards_). Have I a single trump? FORESTER (_calling_). Twenty in spades. STEIN (_taking up his cards again; impatiently_). Why not forty? Talking about spades reminds me--have you considered that matter about the clearing? FORESTER. That fellow is a-- [_They continue to play_.] STEIN. What fellow? FORESTER. The fellow who hatched that scheme. STEIN. Do you mean me? FORESTER. Your Godfrey there-- STEIN (_getting excited: with emphasis_). _My_ Godfrey? FORESTER (_growing more and more calm and cheerful_). Well, for all I care, mine, then. STEIN. Why do you always drag him in?