Frau Heinecke, (_Opening the door_) Robert! (_Tenderly_) Oh, the dear boy, he's fallen asleep in his chair! He didn't sleep a wink all night--Bobby! The Herr Councillor--He's sound asleep!

Muhlingk. (_Kindly_) Ah? so much the better! Don't wake him.

Heinecke. Shut the door!

Frau Heinecke. But didn't he say----

Heinecke.--If the young Herr Muhlingk came, he said--(_He shuts the door quietly_)

Auguste. (_To_ Michalski, _with gesture of counting money_) Watch!

Muhlingk. (_Who has been looking around the room_) You seem to be living in a very comfortable place, my good people.

Heinecke. (_Deferentially_) Would the Herr Councillor be so kind as to sit down?

Muhlingk. Ha! ha! real silk.

Frau Heinecke. Yes, it is silk.

Muhlingk. A present, perhaps?

Frau Heinecke. (_Hesitatingly_) Well, yes, you might say----

Muhlingk. (_Innocently_) From my son?

Heinecke. Yes, sir. > (_Together_) Frau Heinecke. Sh! /

Muhlingk. (_Aside_) Rascal! (_Aloud_) By the way, your good son has not acted in a very dutiful manner toward mine. Frankly, I expected a little more grat.i.tude. You can tell him that he is discharged and that I shall give him until four this afternoon to settle his accounts.

Frau Heinecke. Oh, that will make him feel bad.

Heinecke. He loved the Herr Councillor like his own father!

Muhlingk. Really! I'm glad to hear it! But that is not what brought me here, good people; you have a daughter.

Auguste. (_Advancing_) At your service!

Muhlingk, What can I do for you?

Auguste. (_Deferentially_) I am the daughter.

Muhlingk. Ah! very good, very good. But I was not referring to you. The girl's name is Alma.

Frau Heinecke. That's it. And a mighty pretty girl, if I do say it myself.

Muhlingk. Ah! it is always pleasing to see children who make their parents happy. But there is one thing that I don't like--your daughter has taken advantage of the fact that I have allowed you to occupy my house, and has established illicit relations with my son. Frankly, I expected a little more grat.i.tude.

Frau Heinecke. Oh, Herr Councillor!

Muhlingk. In order to sever all connection whatsoever between your house and mine, I offer you a cash compensation--which you, my dear Heinecke, and your daughter Alma, may divide, with the understanding that half will go to her as a dowry, as soon as she finds someone who--(_Laughs discreetly_) Well, you understand! Until then, the entire sum will be at your disposal. Do you agree?

Auguste. (_Behind_ Heinecke) Say yes!

Heinecke. I--I----

Muhlingk. I have offered an unusually large amount in order to free myself of a promise extracted yesterday by your son from my son.--It amounts to--a--fifty thousand marks.

Heinecke. (_With an exclamation_) G.o.d! Herr Councillor, are you in earnest?

Frau Heinecke. I'm getting dizzy! (_Sinks into a chair_)

Muhlingk. (_Aside_) I made it too high!--I put the question again, will you be satisfied with forty thousand marks?

Auguste. (_Nudging her father_) Say yes, quick--or he'll come down again.

Heinecke. I can't believe it, Herr Councillor! Even the forty--There isn't that much money--It's nonsense--show me the money.

Muhlingk. It is at the office, waiting for you.

Heinecke. And the cashier won't say: Put the fellow out--he's drunk!--Oh, he can be right sharp with the poor people when he wants to--that cashier! (Muhlingk _draws out a check and fills it; hands it to_ Heinecke: _they all study the writing_) Forty thousand marks!

Always the generous gentleman, Herr Councillor. Give me your hand!

Muhlingk. (_Putting his hand in his pocket_) One thing more: to-morrow evening a moving van will be in front of your door; within two hours you will be good enough to leave my property,--and I hope that will be the last I hear of you.

Heinecke. Don't say that, Herr Councillor! If the visit of an honest old man isn't disagreeable to you, I'll take the liberty of calling now and then. Yes, I'm an honest old man!

Muhlingk. Certainly! Good-day, my good people! (_Aside_) Pah! (_He goes out_)

Heinecke. Mother! Forty thousand! (Michalski _tries to embrace him_) Three paces to the rear, my son! (_Takes out an old handkerchief and carefully does up the check in it, then puts it in breast pocket_) Now you can be as tender as you like.

Frau Heinecke. I'm half sick with joy! (_The two embrace and weep_) When I think! I don't need to go to market without money any more. And when I'm cold in the afternoons, I can make a fire without having a bad conscience--a good fire--and in the evening cold meat!

Heinecke. And in the evening I can take the horse-car whenever I want!

Michalski. Exactly four hundred thousand times, at ten pfennigs per!

Frau Heinecke. And you'll buy me a sofa.

Auguste. Now you won't be going to India.

Frau Heinecke. For the Lord's sake.

Heinecke. Are you crazy?

Auguste. And what will Herr Robert have to say to that?

Frau Heinecke. (_Happily_) Yes--Robert! (_Goes to bedroom door_)