Chapter 20

Enter Master CLARENBACH.

_Clar._ What is the matter here?

_Fred._ Stop him!

_Gern._ Leave me!--

_Clar._ (lays hold of him.) Well, stop a moment! What is it? What, (looks round,) good heaven, what is all this!

_Fred._ My brother!--

_Gern._ (shoving the box towards him.) Counsellor Selling!

_Clar._ Where is my furniture? who had the impudence? who has permitted it? Girl, daughter, Frederica! where was you when all this was done? where is my furniture, my furniture? What are your intentions, people? (looking at the box.) What is that, what is it?

_Gern._ Counsellor Selling's livery.

_Fred._ An incomprehensible present for me.

_Clar._ Pack up; lay hold; each of you a piece; carry it into the passage! Ere night all shall be packed up, and packed off too. (All take a piece of furniture, Gernau takes the band-box.) Stop, stop! each two pieces! take up--(whilst they are each taking two pieces, he discovers the easy chair, and shoves it into the middle of the room.) So thou art here yet, old friend! that is right! (lifts up both his arms.) You are the capital of my rank in life; (giving a knock against the chair,) and thou art the land-mark to point out how far I should extend the use of that capital. Away with the rest! away, I say! (They carry off the furniture.)