"If there was a prospect that the estate could be rented----"
"Who would rent in such times?" said Moses.
"Or the Herr von Rambow would agree to engage a regular inspector, and leave the management to him----"
"Habermann," interrupted Moses, "you are an old man, and you are a shrewd man. You know the world, and you know the Herr von Rambow; did you ever know a Herr who said, 'I will be master no longer, I will let another be master?'"
Habermann was rather taken aback by this question, he looked inquiringly at the young Frau, and Frida dropped her eyes, and said:
"I am afraid Herr Moses is right; my husband does not understand it."
Moses looked at her approvingly, and muttered to himself, "She is a clever woman, she is an honest woman."
Habermann was perplexed; he sat in deep thought, and finally said:
"Well, Moses, if the Frau von Rambow, or I, or circumstances, should influence the young Herr to consent to this plan, and if, for the security of the creditors, he should give a promise to resign the management, and engage a competent inspector, would you withdraw your suit?"
"I would withdraw it for a year; well, say two years."