His nose bled too. FRAU STAAR. A person of quality met with an accident. FRAU BRENDEL. A count---- FRAU MORGENROTH. Several princes. FRAU STAAR. That we do not know. He must be of noble extraction, for he does not lodge in the “Golden Cat,” but at our house, at the express desire of his Honour the Minister of State. Now, as my son, the Burgomaster and Chief Alderman, represents in his person the whole town as it were, you will, of course, understand that he must do honour to his position. FRAU BRENDEL. A banquet at the Town Hall---- FRAU MORGENROTH. A dance at the archers’ guild---- FRAU STAAR. To-morrow, as you know, is the great _fête_. FRAU BRENDEL. Oh yes, the woman that stole the cow nine years ago---- FRAU MORGENROTH. To-morrow she goes to the pillory. I am looking forward to it with a great deal of pleasure. FRAU BRENDEL. I have had a brand-new robe made for the occasion. FRAU STAAR. There have been many arrangements made to fitly celebrate this event. But to-day the honour of the town is wholly in our hands; to-day _we_ must show what we can do, and with the help of God we will. The tables shall bend under His blessings. My worthy cousins are herewith invited. FRAU BRENDEL. I look upon it as a great honour. FRAU MORGENROTH. Shall not fail. FRAU STAAR. Now, you see, I should like to make the distinguished stranger acquainted with our people of quality. So I have sent for you to ask your advice as to the persons to be invited. FRAU BRENDEL (_meditating_). Ah, well, I think---- FRAU MORGENROTH. You might perhaps---- FRAU BRENDEL. Invite the Herr Convoy-and-Land-Excise-Commissary Kropt---- FRAU STAAR. No, Dame Cousin, he gave a banquet the other day on his mother’s birthday, and did not ask us. FRAU BRENDEL. Ah, indeed! FRAU MORGENROTH. Perhaps the Herr Board-of-Revenue-Supernumerary-Secretary Wittmann? FRAU BRENDEL. No, Dame Cousin; my husband, the late Herr Brendel, had a law-suit with him about his drains. FRAU MORGENROTH. That alters the matter. FRAU STAAR. I thought of the Herr Post-Luggage-Inspector-General Holbein? FRAU MORGENROTH. For heaven’s sake, Dame Cousin! he has a most insufferable wife! There’s hardly a Sunday passes but she has a new dress, and the way she goes rustling past my pew---- FRAU BRENDEL. She carries her head higher than need be---- FRAU MORGENROTH. And we all remember her so well---- FRAU BRENDEL. Yes, when she wore a grey spencer with a green apron. FRAU MORGENROTH. There are strange rumours where she takes it from. FRAU BRENDEL. No, I would rather suggest the Herr County-Tavern-Harvest-and-Quarter-Tax-and-Impost-Controller Kunkel. FRAU STAAR. Don’t mention him, worthy Cousin; he is a rude fellow, who has no manners! Would you believe it, he did not so much as call upon us in a decent and proper manner, the pert addle-head! He left his card, fancy! One might sooner ask the Herr Penal-Raft-Commander Weidenbaum. FRAU BRENDEL.