Ebeling.
Indeed? I thought perhaps the social glamour of the Yburgs was
attracting you. A thing like that can't help dazzling one. But
that you----
v. Tietz.
Is it so surprising? That girl is so bewitching--so--so entirely unlike
these forward, city-bred girls. With her, at least, one knows what one
can count on. She's so--so the essence of everything innocent and
chaste and pure.
Ebeling (_quoting_).
"Be thou as chaste as ice, as pure as snow,"--thy dowry shall not
escape me.
v. Tietz.
No, no--don't joke. It's out of place. I won't deny that, as an
official without fortune--that would also be very--h'm--but----
Ebeling.
Yes, but what have I got to do with it?
v. Tietz.
See here, my dear friend, we scattered remnants of the old college
fraternity have grown so accustomed to ask your help in times of need,
to look up to you as a sort of father confessor----
Ebeling.
Do you want me to go and propose for you?
v. Tietz.
We'll talk of that later. But first I'd like to ask you something. See
here, what role is Baron von Kanoldt playing in this family?
Ebeling.
So that's it!