T. (angrily striking his forehead, and stamping with his foot.)
That... the four hundred thalers are not all there.

WER.
Come! Major, did not you understand me?

MAJ. T.
It is just because I did understand you! Alas, that the best men
should to-day distress me most!

WER.
What do you say?

MAJ. T.
This only applies partly to you. Go, Werner!
(Pushing back Werner's hand with the money in it.)

WER.
As soon as I have got rid of this.

MAJ. T.
Werner, suppose I tell you that Frau Marloff was here herself early
this morning!!!!!

WER.
Indeed?

MAJ. T.
That she owes me nothing now!!!!!

WER.
Really?

MAJ. T.
That she has paid me every penny--What will you say then?

WER. (thinks for a minute).
I shall say that I have told a lie, and that lying is a low thing,
because one may be caught at it.

MAJ. T.
And you will be ashamed of yourself?

WER.
And what of him who compels me to lie? Should not he be ashamed too?
Look ye, Major; if I was to say that your conduct has not vexed me, I
should tell another lie, and I won't lie any more.

MAJ. T.
Do not be annoyed, Werner. I know your heart, and your affection for
me. But I do not require your money.

WER.
Not require it! Rather sell, rather pawn, and get talked about!

MAJ. T.
Oh! people may know that I have nothing more. One must not wish to
appear richer than one is.

WER.
But why poorer? A man has something as long as his friend has.

MAJ. T.
It is not proper that I should be your debtor.

WER.
Not proper! On that summer day which the sun and the enemy made hot
for us, when your groom, who had your canteen, was not to be found,
and you came to me and said--"Werner, have you nothing to drink?" and
I gave you my flask, you took it and drank, did you not? Was that
proper? Upon my life, a mouthful of dirty water at that time was often
worth more than such filth
(taking the purse also out of his pocket, and holding out both to
him).
Take them, dear Major! Fancy it is water. God has made this, too, for
all.

MAJ. T.
You torment me: don't you hear, I will not be your debtor.

WER.
At first, it was not proper; now, you will not. Ah! that is a
different thing.
(Rather angrily.)
You will not be my debtor? But suppose you are already, Major? Or, are
you not a debtor to the man who once warded off the blow that was