STUDENT. Didn't you see? [Pause.
HUMMEL. Would it be impertinent—to ask—your estimable name?
STUDENT. What does it matter? I don't care for publicity. Blame is always mixed into any praise you may get. The art of belittling is so highly developed. And besides, I ask no reward....
HUMMEL. Wealthy, I suppose?
STUDENT. Not at all—on the contrary—poor as a durmouse!
HUMMEL. Look here.... It seems to me as if I recognised your voice. When I was young, I had a friend who always said "dur" instead of door. Until now he was the one person I had ever heard using that pronunciation. You are the only other one.... Could you possibly be a relative of the late Mr. Arkenholtz, the merchant?
STUDENT. He was my father.
HUMMEL. Wonderful are the ways of life.... I have seen you when you were a small child, under very trying circumstances....
STUDENT. Yes, I have been told that I was born just after my father had gone bankrupt.
HUMMEL. So you were.