It's rather see-saw, and has its little
eccentricities, but do not try to help it, sir, for then it will
send you straight to tophet!
PEHR. The people are dissatisfied and when one wants to dig up the
cause of their dissatisfaction, they throw stones at one! [A boy
thrusts a leaflet into their hands, hurries along and distributes
more among the populace.]
PEHR. [Glances at leaflet.] But this is outrageous! They have
sketched us. Have I a nose like that?
STREET-PAVER. They have hit us off rather well--but surely I
haven't such ears!
PEHR. I can't understand this--Yesterday the editor was for the
cause and to-day he abuses me.
STREET-PAVER. Public opinion, you see! He said to me, also, that he
approved of this movement, but that he stared not defy public
opinion.
PEHR. A curious way of working for his cause! Who, then, is public
opinion for him?
STREET-PAVER. First, the customers; then the burgomaster, money,
and power.
PEHR. Then why did he caricature you?
STREET-PAVER. Because I entered into your proposition. As a matter
of course, I did it because I could make money by it. Meantime, he
is selling hundreds of these poems to-day--[Trumpets and drum
sound; Burgomaster, Councilmen and Clerks come out into speakers'
cage.]
BURGOMASTER. Well, my children, you must have heard that an
impostor has come to town.
ONE OF THE PEOPLE. He's no impostor; he is a reformer.
BURGOMASTER. It comes to the same thing--but you must hold your
tongue, my lad, you have no vote!
PEHR.
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