KITTELHAUS
Possibly. But what is the cause, then, of this terrible falling off of trade?
DREISSIGER
Our best markets have been closed to us by the heavy import duties foreign countries have laid on our goods. At home the competition is a struggle of life and death, for we have no protection, none whatever.
PFEIFER
[Staggers in, pale and breathless.] Mr. Dreissiger, Mr. Dreissiger!
DREISSIGER
[In the act of walking into the drawing-room, turns round, annoyed.] Well, Pfeifer, what now?
PFEIFER
Oh, sir! Oh, sir!… It's worse than ever!