FORESTER. And he--he-- ANDREW. He-- FORESTER (_faintly_). He-- ANDREW (_beside himself_). Father, I cannot say it. No man in God's world has ever dared to do that to me! FORESTER (_drawing a deep breath_). Be quiet now. Say it later--Andrew. [_Pause. He passes by ANDREW, who now steps over to SOPHY._] Fine weather today, pastor. All at once the old rheumatism in my arm begins to bother me again.--And the gnats are flying so low. We shall have a thunderstorm before the day is over.--Andrew, he did--I never did, and a stranger--a--say nothing, Andrew--I understand you. [_Goes up and down._] SOPHY (_to ANDREW_). How unfortunate that you provoked Godfrey yesterday! WEILER. Haven't I foretold it? SOPHY. You are deathly pale. I will give you some drops-- FORESTER (_drawn up to his full height, stops before_ ANDREW. SOPHY _timidly draws back_). Listen, Andrew. And you, Weiler. [WEILER _advances_.] Open your ears! Whoever comes into my forest with a gun--you challenge him! You understand? WEILER. Well, yes. FORESTER. Those are your instructions. You challenge him! I am forester, and nobody else, and you are my servants. The master and his son may pass. But whoever else comes into my forest with a gun--do you hear?--be he who he may--whether he wears a green coat or not--he is a poacher, he is to be challenged--"Stop! Down with your gun!" As is provided in the regulations. If he throws it down--all right. If he does not throw it down--fire! As is provided in the regulations. And you, William, go without delay to town to see lawyer Schirmer. You tell him the whole affair. He is to draw up a complaint against Stein and his Godfrey, and is to file it with the court. Don't forget anything, William: that my father and grandfather held the position; that people call me the Hereditary Forester; the case of Rupert in Erdmansgrün. It probably will not be necessary, but one cannot be too careful. Don't forget that the forest is exposed toward the north and west and that Stein intends to dismiss me because I refuse to act as a scoundrel toward him. If you go now, you can be home before night. Andrew and I will accompany you as far as the Boundary Inn. There Andrew can wait for you in the evening when you return. [_To_ ANDREW, _who is examining the guns_.] Take the double-barreled one with the yellow strap, Andrew. I am going to take the other. ANDREW (_does as told_). Mother, a muffler; I feel chilly. SOPHY (_takes one from the closet_). But you really should stay home, Andrew, after that outrage. [_Helps him to tie the muffler around his neck.] WILKENS. And you don't see that you are absolutely in the wrong? You will be wilfully blind? PASTOR. You wish to begin a suit because of your dismissal? You cannot do that. FORESTER (_who in the meantime has girded on his hunting knife_). I cannot do that? Then it is right that he wishes to dismiss me? PASTOR.