Such an unspeakable, shameful outrage will not go
unpunished. A community laying hands on its own pastor and maltreating
him--abominable! Mad dogs they are--raging brutes--and they'll be treated
as such. [_To his wife who still stands petrified._] Go, Rosa, go
quickly! [_Heavy blows at the lower door are heard._] Don't you hear?
They've gone stark mad! [_The clatter of window-panes being smashed on
the ground-floor is heard._] They've gone crazy. There's nothing for it
but to get away as fast as we can.
[_Cries of_ "Pfeifer, come out!"--"We want Pfeifer!"--"Pfeifer, come
out!" _are heard._
MRS. DREISSIGER
Pfeifer, Pfeifer, they want Pfeifer!
PFEIFER
[_Dashes in._] Mr. Dreissiger, there are people at the back gate already,
and the house door won't hold much longer. The smith's battering at it
like a maniac with a stable pail.
[_The cry sounds louder and clearer_: "Pfeifer! Pfeifer! Pfeifer!
come out!" _MRS. DREISSIGER rushes off as if pursued. MRS. KITTELHAUS
follows. PFEIFER listens, and changes colour as he hears what the cry
is. A perfect panic of fear seizes him; he weeps, entreats, whimpers,
writhes, all at the same moment.
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