Chapter 5

Enter GROBMAN.

_Grob._ Your humble servant, Mr. Clarenbach.

_Clar._ Servant, Sir! What is your pleasure?

_Grob._ My name is Grobman. I deal in iron wholesale.

_Clar._ Well; and--

_Grob._ And mean to settle here.

_Clar._ I wish you success.

_Grob._ But there is an other, who wishes to do the same,--one Benninger.

_Clar._ Success to him likewise!

_Grob._ He is for having the monopoly of the article here.

_Clar._ If so, I look upon him in a bad point of view.

_Grob._ But it is very profitable. I have the same object in view. Your son, the deputy, patronizes Mr. Benninger. But, if you would speak in my favour to your son, I know I should succeed.

_Clar._ I am a carpenter.

_Grob._ Very right. But then you are the Deputy's father. Benninger, as I am well informed, has secretly offered your son two thousand dollars by way of present.

_Clar._ What?

_Grob._ They have agreed.

_Clar._ Infamous calumny!

_Grob._ I will give you two hundred dollars beside, if you--

_Clar._ Set off!--for, upon my word, I will do you some mischief.

_Grob._ Do you want more than two hundred?

_Clar._ Justice I want, Justice! My son shall send you to prison, unless he be as great a good for nothing as yourself.

_Grob._ (laughs.) For what?

_Clar._ Sell! sell a monopoly! take money,--a bribe! My son, Jack Clarenbach, the sovereign's deputy, take money!

_Grob._ (laughs.) Aye, sure, for the trouble that he--

_Clar._ I will bring an action against you.

_Grob._ Are you in your senses?

_Clar._ I will inform--

_Grob._ So you may.

_Clar._ All you have said.

_Grob._ Do so.

_Clar._ My son shall have ample satisfaction. Where is your conscience, fellow? Defame a man in office and dignity? Now, go out by that door, or I will lay both my hands on you.

_Grob._ The man must be tipsy. (Laughs, and exit.)

_Clar._ Aye, you may laugh, you cursed thief. All my limbs tremble!--Some envious man, some fiend has sent him hither.--Jack would not betray his native town.