Question

You do preach worse than a parson. What did the iron master mean by this statement?

Answer 1

By this statement, the iron master is actually expressing his disapproval of Edla's defending the rattrap seller. He had recognized the tramp was not his old friend, Captain Von Sthale, but rather a cheater. However, Edla, who knew it already, requested his father to show forgiveness, forbearance, charity, etc, by letting the poor wretched stay with them at Christmas. It was in response to her arguments that he made the above written statement.