Mathilde.

Very well, don’t give it—Then I can treat the Burgomaster’s wife to a glass of gin presently—three jugs of old gin and not a single bottle of port or sherry! [Bos angrily throws down two rix dollars.] Say, am I your servant? If it wasn’t for me you wouldn’t be throwing rix dollars around!—Bah! [Goes off angrily.]

Kaps.

[Reading.] IJmuiden, 24 December—Today there were four sloops in the market with 500 to 800 live and 1,500 to 2,100 dead haddock and some—live cod—The live cod brought 7¼—the dead——

Bos.

Haven’t you anything else to do?

Kaps.

The dead haddock brought thirteen and a half guilders a basket.

Bos.

[Knocking on the desk.] I know all that! Here, take hold! Take your book—turn to the credit page of the Expectation——