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Hauptmann, Gerhart, 1862-1946

"The Dramatic Works of Gerhart Hauptmann Volume I"

_] I haven't any more time, your honour.
WEHRHAHN
What do you mean by that? Time? You have no time? Have you come to me, or
do I come to you? Am I taking up your time or are you taking up mine?
KRUEGER
That's your business. That's what you're here for.
WEHRHAHN
Perhaps I'm your bootblack, eh?
KRUEGER
Perhaps I've stolen silver spoons! I forbid you to use that tone to me.
You're not a corporal and I'm not a recruit.
WEHRHAHN
Well, that passes.... Don't shout so!
KRUEGER
It is you who do all the shouting.
WEHRHAHN
You are half deaf. It is necessary for me to shout.
KRUEGER
You shout all the time. You shout at every one who comes in here.
WEHRHAHN
I don't shout at any one. Be silent.
KRUEGER
You carry on as if you were heaven knows what! You annoy the whole place
with your chicanery!
WEHRHAHN
I'm only making a beginning. I'll make you a good deal more uncomfortable
before I get through.
KRUEGER
That doesn't make the slightest impression on me. You're a pretentious
nobody--nothing else. You simply want to cut a big figure. As though you
were the king himself, you....
WEHRHAHN
I _am_ king in this place.
KRUEGER
[_Laughs heartily.


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