PASTOR. What's the matter now?

CAPTAIN. Oh the rascal has been cutting up with the servant-girl
again; he's certainly a bad lot.

PASTOR. Why, Noejd got into the same trouble year before last,
didn't he?

CAPTAIN. Yes, you remember? Won't you be good enough to give him a
friendly talking to and perhaps you can make some impression on
him. I've sworn at him and flogged him, too, but it hasn't had the
least effect.

PASTOR. And so you want me to preach to him? What effect do you
suppose the word of God will have on a rough trooper?

CAPTAIN. Well, it certainly has no effect on me.

PASTOR. I know that well enough.

CAPTAIN. Try it on him, anyway.

[Noejd comes in.]

CAPTAIN. What have you been up to now, Noejd?

NOEJD. God save you, Captain, but I couldn't talk about it with the
Pastor here.