HASSENREUTER
Man alive, then play in your drawers for all I care! It wouldn't worry me! Only don't quite forget who's standing before you. Because the court actor Jettel is pleased to emit a whistle—well, that's no reason why the manager Harro Hassenreuter should begin to dance. Confound it, because some comedian wants a shabby turban or two old boots, is that any reason why a pater familias like myself must give up his only spare time at home on Sunday afternoon? I suppose you expect me to creep about on all fours into the corners here? No, my good fellow, for that kind of thing you'll have to look elsewhere!
JETTEL
[Quite calmly.] Would you mind telling me, if possible, who has been treading on your corns?
HASSENREUTER
My boy, it's scarcely an hour since I had my legs under the same table with a prince; post hoc, ergo propter hoc!—On your account I got into a confounded bus and drove out to this, confounded bole, and so … if you don't know how to value my kindness, you can get out!
JETTEL
You made an appointment with use for four o'clock. Then you let me wait one solid hour in this horrible tenement, in these lovely halls with their filthy brats! Well, I waited and didn't address the slightest reproach to you. And now you have the good taste and the good manners to use me as a kind of a cuspidor!
HASSENREUTER
My boy …