His thoughts were interrupted by a knock at the door.
It was the preacher, who with many excuses stepped in and with some abashment tried to grind out what he had to say.
"Has not the commissioner," began he, "noticed anything like that the people out here have less conscience."
"That I observed at once," answered the commissioner. "What is it that has happened now?"
"Yer, see the laborer on the chapel say, they, have lost boards, so that there isn't enough to finish it."
"This does not surprise me, but what have I to do with that?"
"Yer, see, the commissioner was for it and procured what was necessary!"
"That was then! Now I have regretted it, since I have seen that your preaching has taken the people from their work and indirectly made them thieves."
"One cannot directly say...."
"No, therefore I said indirectly! But if you want money, go to somebody else. Tell me one thing; who is the new assistant here?"