FLIEGENTOD--[_The Secretary, with the minutebook; bearded, ponderous._] If my worthy colleagues wish to have a window opened, I have nothing, personally, to object against it; only might I ask that they will not wish to have that window opened which is directly at my back? SONNENSTICH--Habebald! HABEBALD--Yes, Mr. Sonnenstich? SONNENSTICH--Open the other window!--May one of the gentlemen have something still further to remark? HUNGERGURT--[_Small, mild, spectacled; between_ FLIEGENTOD _and_ ZUNGENSCHLAG.] Without any wish on my part to aggravate the controversy, might I recall the fact that the other window has been walled up since the autumn holidays? SONNENSTICH--Habebald! HABEBALD--Yes, Mr. Sonnenstich? SONNENSTICH--Leave the other window closed!--I see myself compelled, gentlemen, to bring the matter to a vote. I request those colleagues who are =for= opening the only window that can enter into the question, to indicate it by standing. [_The three furthest from him stand._] One, two three. [_Counting the seated ones, too._] One, two, three. Habebald! HABEBALD--Yes, Mr. Sonnenstich? SONNENSTICH--Leave the one window likewise closed.--I for my part am of the opinion that our atmosphere leaves nothing to be desired!--May one of the gentlemen still have something to remark?--Gentlemen!--Let us make the supposition that we omit to move the rustication of our crime-laden pupil before a superior Board of Education. =We= will then be held accountable, by the Ministry of Education, for the disaster that has befallen us. Of the various schools that have been visited by this suicide-epidemic, those in which twenty-five per cent of the pupils have fallen victims to the ravages of the suicide-epidemic have been temporarily =closed= by the Ministry of Education. To preserve our Institution from this most staggering blow is our duty, as the guardians and safekeepers of our institution. It grieves us deeply, gentlemen and colleagues, that we are in no position to let our crime-laden pupil’s qualifications in other respects count as mitigating circumstances. A mild procedure, which might be justifiable towards our crime-laden pupil singly, is at this time, when the very existence of our institution is imperilled in the most dangerous manner conceivable, certainly =not= justifiable! We see ourselves reduced to the necessity of passing judgment on the guilty lest we, the innocent, be judged.--Habebald! HABEBALD--Yes, Mr. Sonnenstich? SONNENSTICH--Bring him up. [HABEBALD _goes out_.] ZUNGENSCHLAG--If it is settled that the pre-prevailing a-a-a-atmosphere leaves little or nothing to be desired, I should like to move that during the summer vacation the other window as well should be-be-be-be-be-be-be-be-be-be walled up!