What--what say you? Forgive me, my friend, but you are
right. However, I'm not thinking of my humble calling, but of all
the poor innocent working men who will be robbed of their bread--
and of their poor wives and children!
HANS. [At window, makes faces.] Poor unfortunate workingmen!
RELATIVE. You see, you see! [Pointing to statue.] He was the friend
of the poor, and he was a man that knew what he did!
SHOEMAKER. You may depend upon it that both the wagonmaker and the
chiropodist will share my opinion.
RELATIVE. Am I quite sure of that?
SHOEMAKER. In life and in death!
RELATIVE. Happy the people who respect their great men! [Runs.]
[Enter populace. Relative is talking with the wagonmaker and the
chiropodist.] [The Courthouse clock strikes nine; two trumpeters
and a drummer come on and sound a call. When the music has ceased
Pehr enters, and is joined by Street-Paver.]
PEHR. Good morning, master. How do you think this matter will go
for me?
STREET-PAVER. Badly, very badly!
PEHR. Don't the people want improvements, then?
STREET-PAVER. There's no question as to that--it's a question of
the great man's reputation, which you have attacked.
PEHR. Have I attacked him? [Rain has ceased.]
STREET-PAVER. You called him _burgomaster_, and that title has
become a by-word in the town; you said that his paving stones were
rough--in a word, you have expressed the common opinion of the man,
therefore you are ruined.
PEHR. It's a very remarkable world that we live in!
STREET-PAVER.
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