JUDGE. I suppose there are good reasons for it?
ADOLPH. I can see no reason why some people should fare well and others badly.
JUDGE. Oh, you can't?—Well, look into your own heart; search your own thoughts and actions, and you'll find that you have yourself to blame for your misfortunes.
ADOLPH. Perhaps I may not call myself righteous in every respect, but at least I have no serious crimes on my conscience.
OLD LADY. You had better think well——
ADOLPH. I don't think that's needful, for my conscience is pretty wakeful——
JUDGE. It can be put to sleep——
ADOLPH. Can it? Of course I have heard of evil-doers growing old in crime, but as a rule their consciences wake up just before death; and I have even heard of criminals whose consciences have awakened after death.
JUDGE. [Agitated] So that they had to come back, you mean? Have you heard that story, too? It's strange that everybody seems to have heard it except me——
OLD LADY. What are you talking about? Stick to business instead.