BOLLAND. Do you think so?
HAUSER. And the poor young man grows poorer with each telling. Your son, Herr Bolland, in his description will have his grandfather freeze to death on the bundle of twigs.
BOLLAND. Upon my word the story is gospel. [To Dobler.] I'd make use of that plot ... How he founded his business and how it grew and grew ...
[As Frau Beermann enters from the music room, the tremulous voice of Prof. Wasner is heard.]
"Behuet dich Gott, es hat nicht sollen sein." [Footnote: God guard thee well, it was but a dream.]
[The closing of the door shuts off the sound.]
DOBLER. In one respect you are right. The character of the SELF MADE MAN [Footnote: So in original.] has hardly been treated in contemporary German literature.
BOLLAND [with enthusiasm]. That's just what I claim. Always about the poor people only. But take a man who has a large income—one who makes a success of his business, that also is poetry.
HAUSER. I'd have my ledger novelized, if I were you, Holland. [A maid opens door, admitting Frau Lund.]
FRAU BEERMANN [welcoming Frau Lund]. Mama Lund, how good of you.