Kellinghausen.

Nonsense. None of that. By the way, I picked up a pamphlet in the train to-day--"The Ordeal" or some such name. Holtzmann tells me that Norbert wrote it. Is that true? (Richard nods.)

Brachtmann.

Ah, indeed--your son wrote----?

Kellinghausen.

I say, Richard, you give him a long rein, don't you?

Richard.

My dear Michael, the chief thing I have to thank my father for is that he gave me one. I vowed long ago that Norbert should have as much freedom as I had.

Kellinghausen.

Well, we shall have to take the young scamp in hand before long.