"
Do you hear! Do you hear!
SHOEMAKER. Yes, I hear. But that was not very alarming.
RELATIVE. Not alarming! Doesn't he call him Burgomaster Schulze?
One does not say burgomaster of a dead man--one says Our
Illustrious--Does not the wretch write about rough cobble stones?
Does he not attempt with that to undermine _his_ worth?
SHOEMAKER. But one cannot call it an attack, if he says that cobble
stones are rough when they are rough.
RELATIVE. Of course they are rough, but one must not say that they
are when a great man is responsible for them. Have a care, Master
Shoemaker! I see that you are a sceptic. Have a care--you know the
consequences!
SHOEMAKER. For God's sake, I'm no sceptic! Haven't I been standing
here chanting odes to brother Schulze?
RELATIVE. Brother! If you were a brother to him in life, please
remember that all titles are annulled by death. Will you admit that
this is an attack?
SHOEMAKER. Of course I will--Have I said anything to the contrary?
Can you prove that I said anything to the contrary?
RELATIVE. No; but be careful! We hold Common Council here on the
square at nine o'clock, when that reformer will speak for his
cause. Do you know what he wants?
SHOEMAKER. No.
RELATIVE. Can you imagine it! He wants to repave all our streets
with flagstones.
SHOEMAKER. But that's rather considerate of him.
RELATIVE. [Laughs ironically.] Considerate? Oh, very! How will it
go, for example just to mention your calling--how will it go with
the precious shoemaking trade when the people no longer wear out
any shoes?
SHOEMAKER.
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