Are you
going? No, stay for supper. I have no special inducements to offer,
but do stay. You know I am expecting the new doctor. Have you seen
him?
PASTOR. I caught a glimpse of him as I came along. He looked
pleasant, and reliable.
CAPTAIN. That's good. Do you think it possible he may become my
ally?
PASTOR. Who can tell? It depends on how much he has been among
women.
CAPTAIN. But won't you really stay?
PASTOR. No thanks, my dear fellow; I promised to be home for
supper, and the wife gets uneasy if I am late.
CAPTAIN. Uneasy? Angry, you mean. Well, as you will. Let me help
you with your coat.
PASTOR. It's certainly pretty cold tonight. Thanks. You must take
care of your health, Adolf, you seem rather nervous.
CAPTAIN. Nervous?
PASTOR. Yes, you are not, really very well.
CAPTAIN. Has Laura put that into your head? She has treated me for
the last twenty years as if I were at the point of death.
PASTOR. Laura? No, but you make me uneasy about you. Take care of
yourself--that's my advice! Good-bye, old man; but didn't you want
to talk about the confirmation?
CAPTAIN. Not at all! I assure you that matter will have to take its
course in the ordinary way at the cost of the clerical conscience
for I am neither a believer nor a martyr.
PASTOR. Good-bye. Love to Laura. [Goes.]
[The Captain opens his desk and seats himself at it. Takes up
account books.]
CAPTAIN [Figuring.] Thirty-four--nine, forty-three--seven, eight,
fifty-six--
LAURA [Coming in from inner room.
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