DR. WASNER. Please don't interrupt. I maintain "unfortunately"! For the last four years, I have been persistently following obscene literature, and to-day I have gotten together a collection of it, which I dare say is pretty complete. So I am speaking of matters about which I am thoroughly informed. [With importance.] The degree of vulgarity our people have reached is incredible.
FRAU LUND. And you have been the "persistent collector" of this vulgarity?
DR. WASNER. Let me assure you that I took upon myself this task with loathing.
HAUSER. Herr Professor, in all my life I have never met a man who for four years voluntarily did something which was loathsome to him.
DR. WASNER. You have no business to make such a remark.
HAUSER. Have you derived no satisfaction from it at all?
DR. WASNER. Satisfaction—if you mean the satisfaction of participating in the uplift of our people.
FRAU LUND. Uplift? Our reformers capitalize our national lack of good taste. Good proof of that are the moral works of art which you patronize.
DR. WASNER. The matter we are discussing is more serious than reforming bad taste.
FRAU LUND. There is nothing more serious.