Page:Poet Lore, volume 35, 1924.pdf/525

 Hans.—You are right. Forgive me, Andrew I was hasty.

John (Still shouting).—To assault me! Me, the head of the community.

Dean.—Don’t howl so loud or you may rouse the community.

John.—How shouldn’t I howl when he assaults me in my own house and half smothers me?

Hans.—If this had been in the States a gun would have settled your howling.

John (To ).—What are you gawking around here for? Go tend to your own business. (Aside to .) Just hang around close, see? (Exit Andrew.)

Dean.—You are both defamers of the good Karvan name. The old pharmacy from which we have all sprung has seen many troubles of one kind and another, but never till today has it witnessed a fist fight in the presence of the dead.

Hans.—A while ago you almost accused me of being responsible for the death of my father. Now confess which one of us comes nearer being the murderer, he or I?

Dean.—I am always on the side of justice. You, John, have much to answer for if you do not clear yourself of this accusation.

John.—Not until I have had satisfaction for this unprovoked assault which I have sustained under my own roof.

Dean.—With regard to the ownership of the roof, things may go somewhat dubiously just now.

John.—Were I owner only till tomorrow noon, I am master here till then.

Hans.—And you really imagine that you can repair the damage you have wrought by this made to order noise!

John.—As far as this place is concerned, you and I have done. You shall answer me somewhere else.

Hans.—It is a long way yet before we have done with each other. It will please me to answer you here, or anywhere. But right here I am telling you that I see to the bottom of your rotten soul! You got the official confirmation for father in order to inherit his business. I know now that you had been playing me for that long before I left the country.

Julia (To who is sobbing).—Ann, dear, please go and lie down. You’ll catch your death here.

John.—The document is legitimate from the opening word to the seal. You may see it yourself in the morning.

Hans.—It must have been easy to get the signed statement