“To be sure! As soon as the matter is determined upon, there is to be no delay in carrying it out.”
“I am altogether of your opinion, Mr. Greifmann—I agree with you entirely!” assented the builder, with an increase of animation. “I shall draw up a plan for a magnificent house. If it pleases you, all hands shall at once be set at work, and by next autumn you shall behold the villa under roof.”
“Of course you are yourself to furnish all the materials,” added the banker shrewdly. “When once the plan will have been settled upon, you can reach me an estimate of the costs, and I will pay over the money.”
“To be sure, Mr. Greifmann—that is the way in which it should be done, Mr. Greifmann!” responded the man of the black beard with a satisfied air. “You are not to have the slightest bother. I shall take all the bother upon myself.”
“That, then, is agreed upon! Well, now, have you learned yet who is to be the next mayor?”
“Why, yes, the old one is to be re-elected!”
“Not at all! We must have an economical and intelligent man for next mayor. Of this I am convinced, because the annual deficit in the treasury is constantly on the increase.”
“Alas, ’tis true! And who is the man of economy and intelligence to be?”
“Mr. Hans Shund.”
“Who—what? Hans Shund? The thief, the usurer, the convict, the debauchee? Who has been making a fool of you?”