Balthazar’s loud clear voice overpowered the music which now ceased, and the lads and maidens crowded around him.

“Balthazar is going to make a speech!” cried one with hearty laughter, in which the others joined lustily.  “Silence, silence!  Balthazar is going to make a speech.  Come, Balthazar, out with it!  It’s a failing he has.”

“Well, why shouldn’t I?” said Balthazar, laughing; “many a great lord does nothing else all his life but make pretty speeches.  Why shouldn’t I play the great lord on this my wedding-day?” He drew himself up, cleared his throat, and continued:  “I want to talk to you about our master, who turned us from good-for-nothing drones into industrious workmen, who gave us bread when nobody else had bread for us.  Nobody, I say, not even our mayor, who is a very good mayor, but who cannot help the poor, feed the hungry, and give bread and work to hands willing to work.  Who is able to do that, and who does it?  Who in Berlin is the rich, the good man, who gives work to all, and in his large and celebrated mills procures us food and wages?  Who is it?”

“Gotzkowsky, our father Gotzkowsky!” cried the crowd unanimously.

Balthazar waved his hat joyfully in the air.  “Therefore, say I, long live Gotzkowsky our father!” cried he with stentorian voice.  And loud shouts and cheers followed this appeal.  Men and women surrounded Gotzkowsky and offered him their hand, and thanked him with those simple and plain words which never fail to reach the heart, because they come from the heart.  All hailed him as friend and father, benefactor and master.  Gotzkowsky stood in their midst, proud and erect.  A deep emotion was evident in his noble features, and he raised his beaming, radiant face to heaven, thanking God in the humbleness of his heart for the proud joy of this hour.

“Long live Gotzkowsky, our father!” reiterated the happy multitude.

He lowered his eyes, and glanced with friendly looks at the cheerful assemblage.

“Thank you, my children,” said he, “but I beg you not to overrate my merits.  You are of as much service to me as I am to you.  He who gives work is nothing without the worker; the one has need of the other, to increase and thrive.  Of what avail would my looms and my money be if I had not your industrious hands and your good will to serve me?  Money alone will not do it, but the good will and love of the workmen carry the day.  I thank you all for your good will and your love; but above all,” continued he, turning to Bertram, “above all things I must thank you, my friend.  You have stood by me and helped me bravely, and it is full time that I should try to reward you.  Children, one more surprise have I in reserve for you to-day.  I appoint Mr. Bertram my partner and sole director of the silk factory.”  “That’s right, that’s noble!” cried the workmen.

Bertram said nothing.  He only turned his eyes, clouded with tears, toward Gotzkowsky, and the latter read in his looks his deep emotion and affectionate gratitude.