DREISSIGER
Damn it all, Pfeifer, will you hold your tongue?
MRS. DREISSIGER
[Coming out of the drawing-room with MRS. KITTELHAUS.] This is really too bad, William. Our whole pleasant evening's being spoiled. Here's Mrs. Kittelhaus saying that she'd better go home.
KITTELHAUS
You mustn't take it amiss, dear Mrs. Dreissiger, but perhaps, under the circumstances, it would be better …
MRS. DREISSIGER
But, William, why in the world don't you go out and put a stop to it?
DREISSIGER
You go and see if you can do it. Try! Go and speak to them! [Standing in front of the pastor, abruptly.] Am I such a tyrant? Am I a cruel master?