"Not at all! In future also I mean to take your advice as though it came from my own father. Scold me as much as you like when you catch me tripping. I will continue to be your obedient ward if only you don't shut the door in my face. All I want is my money. Believe me when I say I will do nothing frivolous with it. The sum will remain to my credit, but I wish to be free to use it as I like in the future."
"I presume your bridegroom is some squire to whom the amount will be of service?"
"He is not a squire."
"Then perhaps he is a merchant? That also is an honourable walk in life. In good commercial hands the amount will yield a nice income."
"He is not a merchant."
"Then perhaps he is a manufacturer, the proprietor of a saw-mill or a steam-mill?"
"Neither the one nor the other."
"Then what on earth is he?"
"My bridegroom is a worthy and eminent schoolmaster, whose name is Esaias Medvési."
"Esaias Medvési! But what the deuce does a village schoolmaster want with twenty-five thousand florins?"