And this is his home-coming!

Geert.

Do you expect me to sit on the sinner’s bench? No, thank you.

Kneir.

[Anxious; almost crying.] The whole village talked about you—I couldn’t go on an errand but——

Geert.

[Curtly.] Let them that talk say it to my face. I’m no thief or burglar.

Kneir.

No, but you raised your hand against your superior.

Geert.