Councillor’s wife.  Madam must also engage a doctor by the year for her whole household, and he can give her some drops which she can at least leave standing in a bottle, whether she uses them or not.

Geske.  Yes, I certainly shall follow your advice.  Henrich!  Later on you must run to Doctor Hermelin’s and ask him to make me a visit when he has time.

Councillor’s wife.  I must now take my leave, madam, and commend myself to your affection.

Geske.  Already so commended, my dear lady!  You have but to speak frankly to me or to Master Herman—­I mean to Burgomaster von Bremenfeld.  What service we can do to you or to those dear to you, you shall never lack.

Councillor’s wife (kissing her apron).  Your most humble servant!

Geske.  Adieu! (Exit the Councillor’s Wife.) Let us go in, for my husband is giving audience here.

ACT V

SCENE I

(Same as Act IV.  Henrich, alone.)

Henrich.  Well, well, here comes grist to my mill; it’s the audience hour.  Now, you shall see, good people, if a man who had been twenty years in the service could bear himself better than I.—­There’s some one knocking.  Whom do you wish to see, my good men?

(Enter two Lawyers.)

First lawyer.  We should very much like to have the honor of speaking to the burgomaster.

Henrich.  He is not up yet.

First lawyer.  Not up at four in the afternoon?

Henrich.  Oh, he is up, to be sure, but he has gone out.

First lawyer.  But we just met a man at the door who had been talking to him.

Henrich.  He really is in, but he is not well. (Aside.) These fellows are as stupid as cattle, they don’t seem to grasp my meaning.

First lawyer (aside).  I perceive, mon frere, that this fellow wants to be oiled; we must slip a gulden into his fist, and then the burgomaster will come fast enough.  Listen, my friend!  You will not refuse a couple of gulden to drink our healths with?

Henrich.  Oh, no, my dear sirs, I never take anything as a present.

First lawyer.  What shall we do, then, mon frere?  Evidently we must go away until another day.

Henrich (beckons to them).  Hey, gentlemen! you are in too much of a hurry.  For your sake I will accept the two guldens; otherwise you might think that I was proud and our house would be ill spoken of in consequence.

First lawyer.  Here, comrade!  Here are two guldens, if you will accept them; now be good enough to obtain us an audience.

Henrich.  Your most humble servant.  For your sake I shall do all I can.  The burgomaster is really as sound as a horse, but still he is not well enough to talk with every one.  But seeing that it is you, gentlemen, it is another story.  If you will be so good as to wait a moment, gentlemen, I will announce you.  But there’s some one else knocking.  Whom do you want to see, my good man?