(Enter a Man.)

Man (feeling in his breeches pocket).  I should like to have the honor of talking with the burgomaster.

Henrich (aside).  This man knows the ropes:  he goes right for his pocket. (Aloud.) Yes, sir, he is at home.  You may speak to him immediately.

(Henrich reaches out his hand, but the other instead of money merely pulls out his watch.)

Man.  I see it is already four o’clock.

Henrich.  Who was it you wished to see?

Man.  The burgomaster.

Henrich.  He is not at home, sir.

Man.  You just said that he was at home.

Henrich.  Perhaps I did, sir, but if I did, I made a mistake. (Exit Man.  Henrich goes on, aside.) Look at that sharper!  Now you shall see if the burgomaster is at your beck and call! (To the lawyers.) I shall announce you immediately. [Exit

First lawyer.  Just see how that rascal knows how to fit into his place already.  Keep good countenance, mon frere, it is we who shall start the plaguing of the good tinker.  Our comrades will complete the tale.  But here he comes.

SCENE 2

(Enter Herman and Henrich.)

First lawyer.  From the bottom of our hearts we wish the honorable Burgomaster the greatest success in his high position in our city, and hope that in gentleness, foresight, and vigilance he may not fall behind his predecessors, inasmuch as his Excellency has made his way to this high office not through wealth, family, or friends, but purely by reason of his well-known great virtues, learning, and experience in affairs of state.

Herman.  Tres humble servitoor!

Second lawyer.  Especially do we rejoice that we have now an administration endowed not only with almost godlike understanding—­

Herman.  I thank God—­

Second lawyer.—­but one who has the reputation of being friendly to all and of making it his greatest delight to hear the people’s grievances and to help to right them.  I may say that I almost fainted with joy when I first heard the news that the choice had fallen on Burgomaster von Bremen.

Henrich.  You must say “Bremenfeld,” gentlemen.

Second lawyer.  I humbly beg your pardon:  I should say, “Burgomaster von Bremenfeld.”  To-day we have come here, in the first place to extend our respectful congratulations; in the second place to consult your Magnificence on a difference that has arisen between our clients, which difference we had both agreed to have judged according to the common law of the land and the statutes.  But we subsequently changed our mind and decided, in order to save time and costs, to submit ourselves to your judgment, and we promise to abide by that.

(Herman sits down, leaving the others standing.)