innocent working men who will be robbed of their bread--and of their
poor wives and children!

HANS. [At window, makes faces.] Poor unfortunate workingmen!

RELATIVE. You see, you see! [Pointing to statue.] He was the friend of
the poor, and he was a man that knew what he did!

SHOEMAKER. You may depend upon it that both the wagonmaker and the
chiropodist will share my opinion.

RELATIVE. Am I quite sure of that?

SHOEMAKER. In life and in death!

RELATIVE. Happy the people who respect their great men! [Runs.]

[Enter populace. Relative is talking with the wagonmaker and the
chiropodist.] [The Courthouse clock strikes nine; two trumpeters and a
drummer come on and sound a call. When the music has ceased Pehr enters,
and is joined by Street-Paver.]

PEHR. Good morning, master. How do you think this matter will go for me?

STREET-PAVER. Badly, very badly!

PEHR. Don't the people want improvements, then?

STREET-PAVER. There's no question as to that--it's a question of the
great man's reputation, which you have attacked.

PEHR. Have I attacked him? [Rain has ceased.]

STREET-PAVER. You called him _burgomaster_, and that title has become
a by-word in the town; you said that his paving stones were rough--in
a word, you have expressed the common opinion of the man, therefore you
are ruined.

PEHR. It's a very remarkable world that we live in!

STREET-PAVER. It's rather see-saw, and has its little eccentricities,
but do not try to help it, sir, for then it will send you straight to
tophet!

PEHR. The people are dissatisfied and when one wants to dig up the cause
of their dissatisfaction, they throw stones at one! [A boy thrusts a
leaflet into their hands, hurries along and distributes more among the
populace.]

PEHR. [Glances at leaflet.] But this is outrageous! They have sketched
us. Have I a nose like that?

STREET-PAVER. They have hit us off rather well--but surely I haven't
such ears!

PEHR. I can't understand this--Yesterday the editor was for the cause
and to-day he abuses me.

STREET-PAVER. Public opinion, you see! He said to me, also, that he
approved of this movement, but that he stared not defy public opinion.

PEHR. A curious way of working for his cause! Who, then, is public
opinion for him?

STREET-PAVER. First, the customers; then the burgomaster, money, and
power.

PEHR. Then why did he caricature you?

STREET-PAVER. Because I entered into your proposition. As a matter
of course,