Official. Verstehe nicht.
American. Well, just watch my gestures. I was saying [he points to the Little Man, then makes gestures of flying], you have an angel from heaven there. You have there a man in whom Gawd [he points upward] takes quite an amount of stock. This is a vurry precious man. You have no call to arrest him [he makes the gesture of arrest]. No, sir. Providence has acted pretty mean, loading off that baby on him [he makes the motion of dandling]. The little man has a heart of gold. [He points to his heart, and takes out a gold coin.]
Official [thinking he is about to be bribed]. Aber, das ist zu viel!
American. Now, don't rattle me! [Pointing to the Little Man.] Man [pointing to his heart] Herz [pointing to the coin] von Gold. This is a flower of the field—he don't want no gentleman in buttons to pluck him up. [A little crowd is gathering, including the two English, the German, and the Dutch Youth.]
Official. Verstehe absolut nichts. [He taps the telegram.] Ich muss mein duty do.
American. But I'm telling you. This is a good man. This is probably the best man on Gawd's airth.
Official. Das macht nichts—gut or no gut, I muss mein duty do. [He turns to go toward the Little Man.]
American. Oh! Vurry well, arrest him; do your duty. This baby has typhus. [At the word "typhus" the Official stops.]
American [making gestures]. First-class typhus, black typhus, schwarzen typhus. Now you have it. I'm kind o' sorry for you and the gentleman in buttons. Do your duty!
Official. Typhus? Der Bub'—die baby hat typhus?