Laskowski. Me? Not conscious?... Don't I know. Word for word! Shall I tell you, dearie? What you said and what I said and what Paul said to you ... Antoinette, how are you?... How are you Antoinette? (Short laugh.) Well, do I know, dearie? Did I hold on to it?

Paul. One must excuse you in your condition.

von Tiedemann. Don't worry about him, madam. He's one of these fellows with a big purse. He may chuckle! I can foresee that he will buy up the whole county some day!

Laskowski. Just what I'll do. What's the price of the world! Five bits a fling!... We can still raise that much. The more foolish the farmer, the bigger his spuds!

Mertens. His sugar-beets!

Laskowski. I say, boys!... Do you know how many tons of sugar-beets I raised to the acre! Last round?

von Tiedemann. Now, don't Spread it on!

Laskowski (jumps up). Fellows! My word of honor! I'm not lying! Thirty-five tons an acre! Who can match that? Nobody can! I can! I'm a devil of a fellow, I've always said so, ain't I, dearie? You know! (He strikes his chest and sits down.)

von Tiedemann. Thirty-five ton per acre! Ridiculous!

Mertens. I can honestly swear to the contrary!