ALFRED. Not at all. He has money in the bank. Of course he's complaining, but so does everybody.
MATHILDA. Has he—The fire hasn't ruined him?
ALFRED. Not a bit! He's a shrewd old guy, although he always calls himself a fool.
MATHILDA. What am I to believe?
ALFRED. He has loaned money to the mason here—and to others.
MATHILDA. I am entirely at sea! Am I dreaming?—The whole morning we have been weeping over your father's misfortune and over the postponement of the wedding——
ALFRED. Poor little thing! But the wedding is to take place to-night——
MATHILDA. Is it not postponed?
ALFRED. Only delayed for a couple of hours so that my father will have time to get his new coat.
MATHILDA. And we who have been weeping——