PASTOR (shrugging his shoulders).

It might be better.

STEIN.

Did you meet that hothead, Robert?

PASTOR.

No.

STEIN.

I was in hopes, because you stayed away so long, that you would bring him with you.

PASTOR.

A sick person, to whom I was called while on my way to you, kept me until now.

STEIN.

Then fancy that you are coming from a sick person to one more seriously sick.  If impatience, dissatisfaction with oneself, evil presentiments, were diseases, then I should be a dangerous patient.—­But your answer—­I don’t even give you time to catch your breath. [Motions to him to take a seat; sits down, but rises again.] If at least I could remain seated!  Six times I mechanically took my hat in my hand; to that extent my old habit of being together with the forester makes my hands and feet twitch worse than the gout.  In the meantime a thought struck me—­but first of all:  How do matters stand with the obstinate old fellow?

PASTOR.

Your offer did not exactly meet with the kindest reception.  And yet, who knows whether, after all, he had not agreed to it, if unfortunately the affair with Andrew—­

STEIN.

With Andrew?  What affair?

[Jumps up.]

You don’t mean to say he has come to blows with Robert?

PASTOR.

This time only with Godfrey—­

STEIN (sits down again).

You see I am trembling with impatience.

PASTOR.

Godfrey, intoxicated as usual, treated him like a prowling thief, had him whipped—­

[STEIN jumps up again.]

PASTOR.

Then it was no wonder that the old man would no longer listen to anything, and gave orders to treat as a poacher every one, except you, who enters the forest with a gun.

STEIN (who has been walking up and down).

Bastian!

[BASTIAN appears at the door.]

As soon as Moeller comes the scoundrel shall be deposed, the brute shall be locked up—­do you hear?

BASTIAN.

The bookkeeper?

STEIN.

Godfrey—­and Moeller with him, if he—­come, pastor.

[Takes his hat and cane.  Exit BASTIAN.]

PASTOR.

You intend—­

STEIN.

You ask?—­I am going to the old man!  I am going to brush away those caprices in spite of all Wilkens and Moellers!

PASTOR.

That’s right!  I am with you. [Rises.]

STEIN (stops).

Wait a moment, parson.  Am I to have had that good idea in vain?  Listen, what came into my mind a little while ago—­as if straight from heaven!  Parson, what do you say if this very day I should transfer Duesterwalde to Robert as his own independent property?  He could reinstate the old man with all honors, and nobody’s dignity would be hurt.  I shall immediately draw up the deed of transfer.  Go quickly to the forester’s house, parson.