HERMAN. Henrich! (He comes out from under the table.)
HENRICH. Mr. Burgomaster!
HERMAN. What do you think these councillors are going to do to me?
HENRICH. I don't know; they were very angry, I could see. I am
surprised that they dared use such language in the burgomaster's own
room. If I had been burgomaster, I should have come right out and
said to them: "Shut up, you scurvy-necks! Stick your fingers on the
floor and smell whose house you are in!"
HERMAN. I wish you were burgomaster, Henrich! I wish you were
burgomaster! Oh--oh--oh'
HENRICH. If I might interrupt your business, sir, I should like to
make one humble request, and that is that henceforth I might be
called "von Henrich."
HERMAN. You shameless rogue! Is this the time to come to me with
such talk, now, when you see that I am caught in a net of nothing
but misfortunes and troublesome business!
HENRICH. On my word, I don't ask out of ambition, but only to
command a little respect in the house from my fellow servants,
especially from Anneke, who--
HERMAN. If you don't shut up, I'll break your neck into little
pieces! Henrich!
HENRICH. Mr. Burgomaster!
HERMAN. Can't you help me get this straightened out, you stupid dog?
Look here, if you don't clear up my affairs for me, there'll be
trouble.
HENRICH. It's a wonder that you should ask such a thing of me, you
who are such a clever man, and have been called to this high station
solely on account of your wisdom.
HERMAN. Are you going to make fun of me into the bargain? (He picks
up a chair and makes as if to hit him. Henrich runs out.)