ss the meeting.

Flink. Three cheers for Mr. Gran! (Almost the whole meeting cheers
lustily. KOLL shouts at them and hammers on the table with his mallet in
vain.)

Koll (when peace is restored). I must ask the meeting to show some
respect for its chairman. If not, I will leave the chair.--Mr. Gran will
address the meeting.

Gran. The plan that we are proposing is no new one. It has been in
practice for a long time. In America--

The Priest, Alstad, and others. Yes, in America!

The Mayor (getting up). Mr. Chairman, are we to have politics, after
all?

Koll. I cannot see that to mention America is to talk politics.

The Mayor. Then what is politics, if America isn't?

Koll. To talk politics is--for instance--to use the arguments your
worship did. Mr. Gran will proceed.

Gran. I see that the Priest wishes to speak. I shall be happy to give
way.

Koll. The Priest will address the meeting.

The Priest. I see here, in this assembly, a number of those whom I am
accustomed to address in more solemn surroundings. My dear
parishioners, it was for your sake that I came here. You have heard
for yourselves--the whole question is a political one; and, dear fellow
Christians, let me entreat you to shun politics! Did not our Lord
Himself say: "My kingdom is not of this world"? This freedom, this
equality, of which they talk is not the soul's freedom, not that
equality which--

Koll. I would suggest to the reverend speaker that he should postpone
his remarks until the next time he gets into the pulpit. (Slight
laughter.)

The Priest. One should be instant in season and out of season;
therefore--

Koll. I forbid you to continue.

The Priest. It is written: "Thou shalt obey God rather than man"! My
dear parishioners, let us all leave this meeting! Who will follow his
priest? (Takes a few steps towards the door, but no one follows him.
Laughter. He sighs deeply, and sits down again.)

Koll. If no one else wishes to speak--

Vinaeger. Mr. Chairman!

Koll. Mr. Vinaeger wishes to speak.

Vinaeger. These proceedings remind me of China, and of the Chinese
mandarins who will not allow any one of lesser degree to come near
them--although at moments I have felt as if I were still in Europe
in the presence of a still greater power, greater even than the Grand
Turk--I mean this democratic envy which grudges others what it has
not got itself. To reconcile both parties I should like to make the
following suggestion. Build