BEERMANN [dismayed]. Will it be read there?
STROEBEL. Certainly. To-day I can only tell you that we will
proceed vigorously. You can satisfy your society on that point.
BEERMANN [rising]. But that doesn't satisfy me at all. Think of
the consequences.
STROEBEL [rising also]. What do you care about the consequences.
Your society has its very high aims. Your propaganda states that
you will prosecute the outcast of society with iron energy and now
you see your ideals realized.
BEERMANN. Our propaganda states that we will intervene from
national, moral and social viewpoints, to protect the marriage
vows. If this scandal becomes public the marriage relationship
will be undermined.
STROEBEL. What sort of moral viewpoint do you call that?
BEERMANN. It is the Society's. Don't you understand that the
influential class of society will be involved!
STROEBEL. Then that class will have only itself to blame.
BEERMANN. That's out of the question. We must find a loop-hole.
STROEBEL. Within the scope of the law there are no loop-holes.
BEERMANN. Don't tell ME that. Well then, go around the law.
STROEBEL [surprised]. Herr Beermann!
BEERMANN. Of course! I have lived long enough to know that.
STROEBEL. I shall do my duty.
BEERMANN. Am I interfering with your duty? I belong to that class
of people who respect the police only because the police respect
our social position.
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