WAGONMAKER. Do the gentlemen think it worth while to stand here in
the rain and get soaked on that old duffer's account?

SHOEMAKER. But we are paid to support the song and we must at least
do the trio before we go; for when we all pitch in together the
object itself won't be able to sleep! The oration, on the other
hand, can be given at any time; besides, there is too small a
public for so big a speech. We'll take the trio--do, mi, sol, do.
It is not as ideal as the aria, but it evinces greater familiarity
with the specific conditions. [Rain patters, wind increases.]

CHIROPODIST. Damned if I stand here any longer and catch cold for
that old charlatan! Remuneration? Six marks each! One can do
without that.

WAGONMAKER. I think so, too.

SHOEMAKER. Were you not in on the subscription for the statue,
perhaps? Were you not there and helped, with a medallion, to turn
him into a great man?

WAGONMAKER. Well, we had to, didn't we? otherwise they would have
downed us.

SHOEMAKER. True--but it is ungrateful not to respect his memory. I
shall sing the trio alone.

CHIROPODIST. Oh, you can do it--you, with your sou'wester! I'm
going home to breakfast. [Flings wreath on pedestal, dashes hood of