"Well," said Bräsig, "then make your preparations, for the Pietist and Lining are sure to be ready too."
"Ah, Bräsig, how you talk! The principal thing is still wanting, the government has not given its assent to the parish--What do you call the thing?"
"Ah yes, I know. You mean the vocation, as it is generally called, but I think vocations is the right word, because the blessed Pastor Behrens, in my younger days, always said vocations."
At this moment, Krischan the coachman came in at the door: "Good evening, Madam, and here are the papers."
"Are there no letters?" asked Frau Nüssler.
"Yes," said Krischan, "there was a letter."
"Why didn't you bring it then?"
"Well," said Krischan, tossing his head, as if such stupidity could not be laid to his charge, "there was some trespass-money charged for it, and I hadn't so much by me."
"What did it cost?"
"Now just think of it, eight thalers! And they said there was a post-express or a post-payment, or something of that sort,--perhaps it was brought with post-horses,--and it was for a young Herr, who is our bridegroom."