KERSTI. Neither do I, but it isn't customary to say things like that to a young girl.
SHERIFF. Now, now!—Where there's no sick conscience, you don't have to walk in your stocking feet—but, but, but....
KERSTI. Has the examination begun already?
SHERIFF. I didn't mean....
KERSTI. The—"guardian of the law" doesn't know how to talk to ladies.
SHERIFF. [Sharply] Kersti!
KERSTI. What is it?
SHERIFF. [Looking hard at her] What do you mean? KERSTI. What do you mean yourself?
SHERIFF. Lo and behold! That's just the kind of questions asked by my ladies when they want to find out whether I know anything.
KERSTI. What could there be to know?