hanging on a nail in his bedroom: then I don't mean to say that
he has locked up the Lord and put the key on a nail in his
bedroom: but all I mean to say is that we can't get in, and that
there will be no divine service for its to-night--for us who
have toiled six days making shoes and coats--who have spent the
whole week brewing and baking and butchering for the reverend
clergy in order that the said clergy might have strength enough
on the seventh day to celebrate divine service for its. Of
course, I am not at all saying this in reproach of the right
reverend members of this Chapter; for they, too, are nothing but
human beings, you know, and it was only the Lord who could stand
working six days and be satisfied with resting on the seventh.

Townsman. You're blaspheming God, master townsman!

Gert. Well, He can't hear it when the door is closed.

A Woman. Jesu Maria! He's an Antichrist!

Gert (beating at the door). Do you hear how hollow it sounds?--It
is writ in the Bible that once upon a time the veil before the
Holiest of Holies was rent in twain, and it must be true--but
nothing is said in the Bible about the clerical gentlemen having
sewed the veil together again, which, of course, is no reason why
it shouldn't have been done.

(The crowd makes a rush at Gert; the children begin to cry.)

Townsman. Out on you, Luther! For that's what you are. We have
sinned, and for that reason the Lord has closed His house. Can't