JEPPE. Indeed, you have been diligent in your office, as your solid
silver buttons plainly show. What wages do you get?

BAILIFF. Fifty rix-dollars a year.

JEPPE [gets up and walks to and fro]. Fifty? You surely shall be
hanged.

BAILIFF. It couldn't well be less, my lord, for a whole year's hard
work.

JEPPE. That's just the reason you are to be hanged--because you
only get fifty rix-dollars. You have money enough for a coat with
silver buttons, frills at your wrists, and a silk queue for your
hair--and all on fifty rix-dollars a year. If you didn't rob me,
poor man, where else could you get it?

BAILIFF [on his knees]. Oh, gracious lord! For the sake of my
unfortunate wife and innocent children, spare me!

JEPPE. Have you many children?

BAILIFF. Seven children living, my lord.

JEPPE. Ha! Ha! Seven children living! Have him hanged immediately,
Sectary.

SECRETARY. Oh, gracious lord, I am no hangman.

JEPPE. If you're not, you can soon learn to be. You look fit for any