MONTANUS. It is known for certain, my dear father-in-law, that people live right under us with their feet turned toward ours.
JESPER. Ha, ha, ha; hi, hi, hi; ha, ha, ha!
JERONIMUS. Yes, you may well laugh, Mr. Bailiff, for he really has a screw loose in his head. Just you try to walk here on the ceiling with your head down, and see then what will happen.
MONTANUS. That is an entirely different thing, father-in-law, because—
JERONIMUS. I will never in the world be your father-in-law. I love my daughter too well to throw her away like that.
MONTANUS. I love your daughter as my own soul, but that I should give up my philosophy for her sake and drive my reason into exile,—that is more than you can demand.
JERONIMUS. Ha, ha! I see you have another lady-love in mind. You can keep your Lucy or your Sophy. I certainly shall not force my daughter on you.
MONTANUS. You mistake me. Philosophy is nothing other than a science, which has opened my eyes, in this respect as in others.
JERONIMUS. It has rather blinded both your eyes and your understanding. How can you believe such a thing is good?
MONTANUS. That is something which is beyond proof. No learned man doubts that any longer.