Oh, I am terrified! I dare not look into that corner!--But, nay, nay; 'twas only in the street you saw all this? ~The Man.~~ Yes, it was only in the street; but soon I shall be seeing it in this room. ~His Wife.~~ No, no! God would never permit it! ~The Man.~~ But why not? Does He not permit it to happen to _other_ people? ~His Wife.~~ Yes; but we are better than they. We are _good_ people, and have done no wrong. ~The Man.~~ Think you so? Then remember all my cruel scoldings of you. ~His Wife.~~ But you have never _really_ been cruel to me. ~The Man.~~ Yes, I have!--yes, many and many a time! Nor is that all; for no wild boar could fall to grinding his tusks more wickedly than I do as I wander through the streets and gaze upon all those things whereof we stand in such desperate need. Ah, how much money there is in the world that we have not got! Listen to me, little wife. This afternoon I was walking in the park--that beautiful park where the paths run straight as pistol-shots, and the beech-trees look like kings in crowns. ~His Wife.~~ And I too was walking in the streets, with shops, shops, shops everywhere--such beautiful shops! ~The Man.~~ And people passed me who were carrying gold-mounted canes and wearing splendid clothes: and I could not help thinking to myself, "Ah, _I_ have none of these things!" ~His Wife.~~ And I too was passed by rich people--by fine ladies in dainty boots which made their feet look so elegant, and exquisite hats from under which their eyes glanced so bewitchingly, and silken petticoats which gave their figures such an inexpressible charm: and I could not help thinking to myself, "Ah, _I_ have no smart hats and silken petticoats!" ~The Man.~~ One dandy had the impudence to jostle me, but I just gave him a glimpse of my boar's tusks, and he very soon lost himself in the crowd. ~His Wife.~~ And I too was jostled by a fine lady; yet I could not bring myself even to look at her, I felt so miserable! ~The Man.~~ Also, I saw people riding in the park--riding fiery, spirited horses. Alas, _I_ have none such! ~His Wife.~~ One fine lady whom I met was wearing diamond earrings--earrings which I could actually have kissed! ~The Man.~~ Red and green motor-cars, with great, glaring eyes, were gliding along as silently as ghosts, and the people in them were laughing and jesting and looking indolently about them. Alas, _I_ have no motor-car! ~His Wife.~~ Nor I diamonds, nor emeralds, nor clear white pearls! ~The Man.~~ Up above the ornamental water there was a restaurant, blazing with lights like the firmament of heaven; and in it people were dining, while men in tail-coats who might have been ministers of State, and white-aproned women who looked like veritable winged angels, were carrying wine and dishes about. And every one was eating and drinking, eating and drinking. Ah, how I too could have eaten and drunk! My wife, my wife, I am so hungry! ~His Wife.~~