_Frans._ I’m just like Louis Napoleon’s knights—I do well, but I don’t care to look round.[7]
_Van Weller_ (_looks round with displeasure, then approaches and gazes fixedly for a few moments at Frans_). No, you are not he. You are too low-looking a fellow to be my nephew. Who are you?
_Frans_ (_without changing his position_). In the first place, or, as we used to say at Paris, _primo_, I must request you to allow me to express my thanks for your very flattering opinion with regard to my physiognomy; _secundo_, it would be the proper thing for you to do me the favour of informing me of _your_ name.
_Van Weller._ Insolence personified!—my nephew cannot be far off. (_To Frans._) My name is Jan Weller. Who are you?
_Van Weller._ It is surely your place to know.
_Frans._ Alas! who in this corrupt age does know himself? At Ephesus, it was written——
_Van Weller._ That does not concern me, or you either. What is your name?
_Frans._ That’s another matter. My late master used to call me....
_Frans._ ... when he was in a good-humour, “You vagabond!”
_Van Weller._ Pretty! very pretty! If you keep up this game much longer, I shall be tempted to write that name on your back with my horsewhip!
_Frans._ Don’t do that, please. It would cause confusion, as it is not my name at present.
_Van Weller_ (_smiling_). Well, tell me your name, then?
_Frans._ Girls who don’t know me call me “Angel,” or something similar. Others,—of earlier date,—“scoundrel, wretch, miscreant,” and I don’t know what all ... mostly words that are not to be found in the _Dictionnaire de l’Académie_.
_Van Weller._ Tell me, in the devil’s name, who you are, fellow!
_Frans._ My mother used to call me Levi....
_Frans._ Yes, but ... that is not my name. She only called me so, because there was a Jew of that name who sold vegetables down our street, and I could imitate him so well.
_Van Weller._ It is enough to exhaust any man’s patience! Speak out, once for all, in whose rooms am I?
[ANDRIES _puts his head in at the door_.]
_Frans_ (_springs to his feet_). General? Your obedient servant!
_Van Weller_ (_to Andries_). Come in! [_Enter Andries._] Ask this fellow his name. If he does not answer briefly, and to the point, as soon as I give the word “March!” you take him by the collar and throw him out of window.