FORESTER (takes the Bible from the shelf, seats himself opposite)

ROBERT,(puts on his spectacles, opens the book and clears his throat).

Proverbs, chapter 31, verse 10:  “Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.  The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.  She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.” [7]

[Short pause; then he calls brusquely toward the window, while he remains seated.]

William, be careful out there!  And then further on, verse 30.  You’ll trample down all the boxweed, confound you!  “Favor is deceitful, and beauty is vain; but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised.”—­Robert!

ROBERT (starting).

Father Ulrich—­

FORESTER.

Again, Ecclesiasticus, verse so and so—­Mr. Stein—­

ROBERT.

Once more “Mister.”

FORESTER.

I see I shall have to use the familiar form of address.  Otherwise I shall not be able to speak my mind.—­Robert—­

ROBERT.

You are so solemn!

FORESTER.

Solemn?  Perhaps so.  But this affair is enough to make one solemn.  I am not a heathen.

[Strikes an attitude.] So you are decided with God’s help, Robert—­

ROBERT.  Well—­

FORESTER.

Hang it!—­Don’t look at me that way!—­You intend to marry, Robert?

ROBERT (rises, surprised).

Why, you know that—­

FORESTER.

That’s true.  But there must be some sort of introduction.  Never mind, sit down.  However, you must give me a chance to finish what I have to say.  On other occasions I am not afraid to talk, but now that I am about to preach a sermon, it strikes me just as if I were to see the pastor in his cassock trying to chase a hare.

[Relieved.]

Now, then; at last I have struck the trail.  Suppose a stag from Luetzdorf is roaming about.  You understand, Robert?  Now give me your attention.  This fork here represents the stag.  Right here, do you see?  Here is the salt-cellar:  that’s you.  And the wind blows from the direction of that plate.  What are you going to do now in order to stalk the stag?  Hey?

[Trying to assist him.]

You—­well?

ROBERT.

I must—­

FORESTER (nodding assent).

You must—­

[Makes a pantomime.]

ROBERT.

I must get to the windward of him.

FORESTER.

Get to the windward.  Correct.  Do you begin to see what I am driving at?  You must get to the windward of him.  That’s it!  Do you see now?  That is the reason why I had to have a talk with you.

[Solemnly.]

You must get to the windward of the stag.

[Rises.]