I cannot go my way when I
choose!

[Enter petitioner, followed by a servant carrying two baskets of
papers.]

PEHR. Mr. Lawyer and Mr. Constable, can't the law protect an unfortunate
rich man so that he may have peace in his home, or is the law only for
the poor?

LAWYER. Your Grace can no longer be regarded as an individual; for when
one through riches has risen to the community's heights, one belongs to
the whole.

PEHR. And so one is placed outside the law.

LAWYER. [Smiles; glances about.] Above the law, Your Grace!

PEHR. Ha--! What does this last friend want! Are there any presents in
those baskets?

PETITIONER. Your Honorable Grace is appointed Church Warden--

PEHR. [Interrupts.] Called--

PETITIONER. Called to vote day after to-morrow.

PEHR. Eleven o'clock--

PETITIONER. Eleven o'clock-to be present at the election of the new
Rector. But before that, Your Grace must take part in the preliminaries
which are here inclosed, and which are for the purpose of showing the
incompetence of the opposing candidate for the office.

PEHR. Must I read through two baskets full of papers between now and day
after to-morrow? No, no!

PETITIONER. Perhaps Your Grace would like to give your vote to our
candidate--

PEHR. Without having to read--is that permissible? Thank you, my good
friend! Pen and ink!

PETITIONER. [Hands Pehr pen, ink and paper for signature.] Admirable! I
thank Your Grace.

PEHR. [Embracing him.] Ah, it is I that must thank you!

BUTLER. [Raps on table three times with staff; servants enter with
dishes.] Dinner is served. [All go except Pehr and butler.]

PEHR. [Sits down at table.] At last! [Soft music.] See, now they go when
he commands; but when I beg, it's useless!

BUTLER. It is not my command they obey, Your Grace, but the rules of
etiquette.

PEHR. And they transcend my will?

BUTLER. Laws are the agreements of many, and must of course come before
the individual's will.

PEHR. I declare, he can answer all things! Now I shall enjoy myself at
all events. Wine warms the heart, food warms the body--but where's the
pleasure in loneliness? Mr. Butler, do the rules of etiquette permit
that one has company when one is enjoying oneself?

BUTLER. I almost believe that something in that way is required.

PEHR. Well, then, I want--

[First Friend enters and rushes into Pehr's arms.]

FIRST FRIEND. Friend of my heart! So I see thee again after such a long
separation! And you ar