Rebellious boys! Hold your peace! Don't you dare to strike, either one of you! You confounded fellow! When I need a guardian I certainly shall not select a greenhorn. Is it I who is master here or is it some one else? What business have you here, fellow? Get you gone into the forest; look after Weiler that he does not loaf; then take out a dozen maple trees from the nursery and put them up in damp moss; see to it that the messenger from Haslau does not have to wait when he comes. Not a word! Along with you! [ANDREW _obeys and goes, after having cast a threatening look at_ ROBERT, _to which the latter replies_.] FORESTER. And you, Mr. Stein; good-day, Mr. Stein. You know what I mean. SOPHY. If you would intercede with your father; but gently and kindly! And if you would bring him back! MARY. Then I should see how truly you love me, Robert. FORESTER (_less roughly_). Don't come again before that. Good-by, Robert. And leave that girl alone. ROBERT. I am going. But come what may, I shall not resign my claim upon Mary. [_Exit_.] SOPHY. Is everything to turn out unlucky today? And you, cousin, are you also going to leave us? WILKENS. Well! If one insists on running his head through a wall, I'm not the fool to hold my hand in between. [_Exit_.] ACT II _In the Manor House_ SCENE I STEIN _alone, seated._ STEIN. Confound his obstinacy! The whole fine day spoiled! Otherwise we should now be at table. I suppose he is right after all, that this clearing serves no goad purpose. But is that a reason why he should put me into this rage? It is true, I should have been wiser than he. Probably my excitement was also partly to blame.--I am only sorry for his wife--and the children. I am going to--[_Rises, then sits down again._] Do what? Repair one foolish action with another? Be as rash in yielding as I was in taking offense? The old hotspur! But that shall serve me as a lesson. [_Short pause. Then he rises again, takes his cane and hat and throws both down again._] No, it won't do--It simply will not do. Well! I should make myself ridiculous forever! This time he must come to me; I can't help him. But perhaps he has already--isn't that Möller? [_Hastens toward the person coming in._] SCENE II ROBERT; STEIN. ROBERT (_entering, in a passion_). You will ruin my happiness, father? STEIN (_surprised, indignant_). Robert! ROBERT. You have no right to do that. STEIN. That's the last straw! Now you too must come along and set me fuming. ROBERT. Father, you have me fetched away from the betrothal festivities like a child from his playthings. But I am no child to whom one gives and takes away as one likes. I have your word, and you must keep it. Do you intend to sacrifice my happiness to a whim? Paternal authority cannot go so far. STEIN. But tell me, what is your object in saying this? ROBERT. I wish to ask you whether you intend to bring about a reconciliation between the forester and yourself. STEIN.