SCENE 8
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.)