] Two dozen plates with
beveled edges--write! Six wine-coolers, with handles of finer
metal--write! One sugar bowl, with sifting spoon, and two smaller
ditto--write! Two dozen knives, with handles of mother-of-pearl--
brand new--write!
PEHR. See if I don't go crazy!
TAX ASSESSOR. Dining table of oak, with double leaves--write! Six
walnut chairs. [Enter Lawyer.]
PEHR. One more!
LAWYER. Your Grace is summoned to the City Court to have tax No.
2867 legalized before twelve o'clock this day.
PEHR. The Court? Litigation? I never institute proceedings, sir!
LAWYER. It's not a question of litigation--only to verify facts.
PEHR. I don't wish to verify facts.
LAWYER. But to put the case--
PEHR. I don't want to put the case--I want my dinner! Butler, can't
I take a sandwich? [Butler raises staff threateningly; enter petty
constable.]
PEHR. Are there still more?
PETTY CONSTABLE. Your Grace is summoned to the Bar tomorrow at
eleven o'clock for neglecting to keep the street clean.
PEHR. Must I keep the street clean--I, who am such a rich man!
What, then, must I not do?
PETTY CONSTABLE. It is the duty of every householder to keep clean
in front of his own house.
PEHR. Etiquette, taxation, put the case, keep yard and street
clean, hunger and thirst--is that the rich man's lot! Then I would
rather be a street sweeper and own myself. And I'm not allowed to
turn these gentlemen out, who crowd into my room, and I cannot go
my way when I choose!
[Enter petitioner, followed by a servant carrying two baskets of
papers.
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