_Reiss._ To whom it is often prudent to yield.

_Clar._ No, Sir, no!

_Reiss._ But, suppose your son should wish to rise still higher?

_Clar._ Then God grant it do him good! that is my cordial wish. But I
shall remain where I am, and I shall not climb after him.

_Reiss._ Well then, I must speak plain to you; your son pays his
addresses to my daughter.

_Clar._ Does he? that is well done. Your daughter is an amiable young
lady.

_Reiss._ Well, well;--but then I have some conditions to propose. I
only desire that you may change your situation in life.

_Clar._ Does your daughter likewise insist on it?

_Reiss._ Suppose she did?

_Clar._ Then I would, were I in my son's place, decline the hand of a
lady that would be ashamed of my father.

_Reiss._ But, if I should only ask that you shall leave off business--

_Clar._ Leave off business? I might as well leave off living. I am
proud of my business, for, upon my word, I am a good carpenter.

_Reiss._ Well then, you may say you have been a carpenter. When you are
Mayor, I will, with pleasure, call you brother. Only accept the office,
and we will see the business taken care of.

_Clar._ No. I would be what I was called. I had better keep away from
your council-board.

_Reiss._ I have now done my duty. Consider, that when the children come
out of the hospital, I intend to make them a present. And that, if an
action is brought against me, I shall not think myself under any
obligation whatever.

_Clar._ Do not take it amiss;--I am rather positive, for I am arrived
at the age in which people know which way the world turns, because they
have often been forced to turn along with it. Should the poor children
lose their suit, you are not the man neither of whom I should wish them
take alms.

_Reiss._ Oh! if matters stand so, then I will do nothing at all, for my
conscience is free, thank God.

_Clar._ I wish you joy.

_Reiss._ As for the rest, it is now all in your option, whether you
will promote your son's happiness through that marriage, or not. I wish
you good business, Master Clarenbach.

_Clar._ (alone.) Hem, hem!--I do not wish it, I know well enough;--but
I should be sorry for Jack, if he were to lose the girl on that
account.

SCENE V.

Enter GROBMAN.

_Grob._ Your humble servant, Mr. Clarenbach.

_Clar._ Servant, Sir! What is your pleasure?

_Grob._ My name is Grobman. I deal i