What do I care about that? I went round the town, and inquired about his debts in all the pubs. I found that he owed more than he’d have earned from me in a quarter-year, even if he’d worked three times as hard as he did. Now I know why he used to work two hours later at night than I did, and got up earlier, too. But he saw it was no good. It was too much trouble, or it took too long, so he seized the opportunity when it came. CLARA. You always think the worst of Karl. You always did. Do you remember how----? ANTHONY. You talk just like your mother. And I’ll answer you as I used to answer her--by saying nothing. CLARA. And what if Karl gets off? What if they find the jewels again? ANTHONY. Then I’d hire a lawyer, and I’d sell my last shirt to find out whether the mayor had the right to imprison the son of an honourable man, or not. If so, I’d submit, for if it can happen to anybody, I must put up with it, even though I had to pay a thousand times dearer than others. It was fate, and when God strikes me, I fold my hands and say: “O Lord, thou knowest why.” But if it was not so, if that man with the gold chain round his neck overstepped himself, because he couldn’t think of anything except that the merchant who lost the jewels was his brother-in-law, then we’d see whether there’s a hole in the law. The king knows full well that he must justly repay the obedience and loyalty of his subjects, and would wish least of all to be unfair to the smallest of them. We’ll see then whether he’ll stop the hole up for us. But this is all nonsense. It’s as easy for your mother to rise from her grave as for that boy to clear himself. I’ve had no comfort from him, and never shall have. So remember what _you_ owe me. Keep your word and then I won’t have to keep mine. (_Goes, and turns back._) I shan’t be home till late. I’m going to see the old wood-cutter in the hills. He’s the only man who looks me in the face as he used to, because he knows nothing yet of my shame. He’s deaf. They can’t tell him anything without shrieking themselves hoarse, and then he mixes it all up and never gets the truth of it. (_Goes out._) SCENE 2 CLARA (_alone_).