Countess: I beg you to take a seat and converse with us about a very important matter.
Wisely (sitting): What can I do?
Count: We have a son of ten years; we wish to give him a tutor. You are our marshal; be so kind, advise us.
Wisely: The matter is important, certainly, as it concerns the education and consequently the well-being of a young noble; but it is not such an affair that I need to have come to you.
Count: I feel that it was my duty to go to you myself, but my countess inconsiderately and without asking me sent for you; excuse the impatience of a countess.
Wisely: I am not at all offended; on the contrary, I am pleased that you would have come to me on this business. By my position I know all our nobles. Recently I made the acquaintance of a gentleman who not long ago bought a small village in our district—a Major Flatternot. If he were to consent to educate your son, would you be pleased?
Count (after a pause): Countess, speak!
Countess: A Russian tutor! I do not like that very much.
