You turned out! the most harmless, law-abiding citizen I ever heard of! What in the world did you do?
You need not mind telling me." "I cannot say that I am aware of having committed any crime, Paul." "Come now, something must have happened, for the police does not take a step of that kind without some provocation--it's only your beggarly Progressives who think that, but nobody who knows the fundamental principles of our government and its officials would believe it." "You seem to have become a warm admirer of the government." "Always was! But, upon my word, when I see the way the opposition parties go on I am more so than ever--positively fanatical." "Then I have no doubt that you will consider that I did commit a crime." "Ah! so there was something after all ?" "Yes, I contributed fifteen hundred marks to a collection for the distressed families of the Social Democrats who had been dismissed from Berlin." "You did ?" cried Paul, dropping his knife and fork, and staring at Wilhelm in amazement.
"And that seems so criminal to you ?" "Look here, Wilhelm, you know I'm awfully fond of you, but I must say you have only got what you deserve.

How could you take part in a revolutionary demonstration of the kind ?" "I did not, nor do I now see anything political in it.

It was a question of women and children deprived of their bread-winners, and whom one cannot allow to starve or freeze to death." "Oh, go along with your Progressionist phrases! Nobody need starve or freeze in Berlin.

The really poor are thoroughly well looked after by the proper authorities.

The supposed distress of these women and children is a mere trumped-up story on the part of the Revolutionists--a means of agitation, a weapon against the government.
The beggars simply speculate on the tears of sentimental idiots.