I wonder whether I shall hear anything now? If I don't care to know anything, then you never get through talking.

FORESTER (_stands before him; severely_).

Weiler, do you hear?

WEILER.

Well, G.o.dfrey. Today he has grown six inches; he immediately put on his laced hat, girded on his hunting knife and drank two bitters and a half dozen gla.s.ses of whisky more than usual; in consequence he has need of a road that's broader than the ordinary by half.

FORESTER.

Have you done eating?

WEILER.

Almost. But tell me, who is now the real forester of Dusterwalde? The other fellow is already giving orders to the woodcutters for the clearing, so he must be the forester. But you also act as if you were still forester.

FORESTER.

You may be sure, I still am. I am forester of Dusterwalde, and n.o.body else.

WEILER.

You intend to carry your point? But I'll tell you who is in the right nowadays [_makes a pantomime of counting money_]--whoever has the longest breath.--Who is coming there in such a hurry?

SCENE VII

WILKENS _enters as hurriedly as his figure permits_. WEILER _eating_; FORESTER; SOPHY.

WILKENS (_while entering_).

But what in the world has happened here? Good-day to you all.

SOPHY (_alarmed_).

Happened! But for heaven's sake--has anything happened?

FORESTER.

You immediately lose your head.

WILKENS.

You'll see, you obstinate fellow!

SOPHY.

But what is the meaning of all this?

WILKENS.

How should I know? On the road I meet that crazy John, and he is gesticulating with his arms as if he were striking some one, and points in the direction of the forester's house--

FORESTER.

He was pointing toward the forest; he meant to call attention to the clearing--

WILKENS.

I really was going in another direction, but I thought I'd better see.

And immediately I see some one standing absorbed in thought, not far from the house. It's Andrew. You ask him, I say to myself. Well! As he hears me coming he starts up, gives me a wild look, and--is gone. I call after him. Well! It seems he has forgotten his name. I run after him, but he--disappears, as if he had an evil conscience.

SOPHY.

I wonder what that can mean.

FORESTER (_calls out of the window, with authority_).

Andrew!

WILKENS.

There he comes.

SCENE VIII

_The same. The_ PASTOR; WEILER _seated_. WEILER.

It's the pastor! [_All exchange greetings_.]

SOPHY.

G.o.d be praised! Our good pastor!

FORESTER.

You are under the impression that you are coming to the betrothal, pastor, but--

PASTOR.

I know all that has been going on here.

FORESTER.