Mrs. Bernick: But you should have spoken to him and represented
to him that--

Hilmar: In the open street? No, excuse me, I could not do that.
To think that the fellow should dare to show himself in the town
at all! Well, we shall see if the Press doesn't put a stopper on
him; yes--forgive me, Betty, but--

Bernick: The Press, do you say? Have you heard a hint of anything
of the sort?

Hilmar: There are such things flying about. When I left here
yesterday evening I looked in at the club, because I did not feel
well. I saw at once, from the sudden silence that fell when I
went in, that our American couple had been the subject of
conversation. Then that impudent newspaper fellow, Hammer, came
in and congratulated me at the top of his voice on the return of
my rich cousin.

Bernick: Rich?

Hilmar: Those were his words. Naturally I looked him up and down
in the manner he deserved, and gave him to understand that I knew
nothing about Johan Tonnesen's being rich. "Really," he said,
"that is very remarkable. People usually get on in America when
they have something to start with, and I believe your cousin did
not go over there quite empty-handed."

Bernick: Hm--now will you oblige me by--