II, Theaterstücke 25, Professor Bernhardi. Komödie in fünf Akten (Ärztestück, Junggesellenstück), Seite 961

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25. ProBernhardi
44 PROFESSOR BERNHARDI: A PLAY
Pflugfelder: One ought to appeal to the
people?
Loewenstein: And in the interest of the
cause. Bernhardi should serve his two months'
term.
Pflugfelder: That would show up the in¬
famy committed against him.
(Enter Bernhardi and Oscar.)
Bernhardi: Excuse me, gentlemen, for let¬
ting you wait.
yprian: Did you receive an ovation?
Bernhardi: Tes! They yelled“ Down with

the Jews'’—“ Down with the Masons!“
Loewenstein: Just think of that!
Bernhardi: Gentlemen!
I hope you will
stay to supper. Oscar, please see that we are
sufficiently provided. My housekeeper has
left; her confessor declared that she could not
stay in my house without danger to her soul's
salvation. It will be a frugal meal. But what
can you expect from the larder of a prospective
jailbird. Oscar! why, the boy has tears in his
eyes! Don't be sentimental, Oscar.
Oscar: I am only furious.
(Enter Adler.)
Bernhardi: Welcome, Doctor Adler. There
is more rejoicing over one repentant sinner
than over ten just men.
Adler: I was never a sinner, Professor. The
trial of this case seemed a necessity to me
from the beginning. Of course, I could not
foresee that the court would rather believe the
testimony of Mr. Hochroitzpointner, than
Professor Cyprian’s and mine.
Pflugfelder: One ought to get rid of Flint.
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PROFESSOR BERNHARDI: A PLAY 45
Goldenthal: I always respect the convictions
of my adversarics.
Loewenstein: The convictions of Flint?
Goldenthal: He has to protect the con¬
victions of others. Believe me, gentlemen
there are things one should not touch, and
which should not be permitted to be touched.
Pflugfelder: Why—if I may ask? It is
only because someone has had the courage to
touch those things, that the world’s progress is
accomplished.
Goldenthal: I think that our frend, Bern¬
hardi, will gladly admit that he had no in¬
tention of contributing to the progress of the
world.
Loewenstein: Seme day it may be shown
that he has done just that thing.
Pflugfelder: As matters stand now, your
affair has to be handled from a general stand¬
point. The prosecuting attorney was not a bit
bashful in beginning that way. Did you not
notice that, Doctor?
Goldenthal: It is not my duty to do politics;
but to defend—
Pflugfelder: If you had accomplished that
task—
Berhardi: But I shall not permit—
Goldenthal: Never mind, Professor. This is
getting interesting. So you think that I did
not defend my client?
Pflugfelder: According to my idea—no.
Why, listening to you, one got an idea that all
the religious sentiments of the whole world,
from the Pope down to the humblest parish