Jenny My word, sir, make as many as you please. You won't have any posterity left behind, and it is I who tell you so.
Albert
And why is that?
Jenny
How do I know?
Albert
Who has given you the privilege of soothsaying? Say, speak, respond!
Jenny My God—I said nothing except what's reasonable, and you know it! I understand myself and that's sufficient.
Albert
Don't trouble yourself. It's my business—and none of yours!
Jenny
Ah, you're right.
Albert Look, you know that around here, one cannot take a step without falling into some ambush. The snares that surround my soul alarm me. I have a prize ewe lamb surrounded by care—but the ravishing wolves are prowling in hopes of carrying her off. I must protect her from their cruel fangs—and so as not to fear their cruel fury, I intend to close all parts of the sheep pen, to carefully surround my house with iron bars, and to let in only a few people—and that by day. I have need of your help at this juncture, so that the fencing will go as I intend.
Jenny
Who, me?
Albert I don't wish this invention to appear to be the result of my precaution. Arabella would be alarmed—with reason, to see my care result in her being locked in—that might cause her to become cold to me. But, with clever girls, one must gild the pill adroitly, and make her understand that all that is being done is only to protect her—and that last night a number of bandits got into a nearby house and left only the walls standing.