ADELAIDE (_indifferently_.)
Do you suppose this gentleman who drank the three gla.s.ses of punch would be willing to repeat his disclosures before other persons?
BELLMAUS.
He said he would, and spoke of proofs too.
ADELAIDE (_aside_).
Aha! (_Aloud_.) I fear the proofs won"t amount to much. And you have not spoken of it to the professor or Mr. Bolz?
BELLMAUS.
Our professor is very much occupied these days, and Bolz is the jolliest man in the world; but his relations with Mr. von Senden being already strained I thought--
ADELAIDE (_quickly_).
And you were quite right, dear Mr. Bellmaus. So in other regards you are content with Mr. Bolz?
BELLMAUS.
He is a sociable, excellent man, and I am on very good terms with him.
All of us are on very good terms with him.
ADELAIDE.
I am glad to hear it.
BELLMAUS.
He sometimes goes a little too far, but he has the best heart in the world.
ADELAIDE (_aside_). "Out of the mouths of babes and sucklings" ye shall hear the truth!
BELLMAUS.
His nature, you know, is a purely prosaic one; for poetry he has not the least comprehension. ADELAIDE. Do you think so?
BELLMAUS.
Yes, he often bursts forth on the subject.
ADELAIDE (_rising_).
I thank you for your communication even if I cannot attach weight to it, and I am glad to have met in you one of the editorial staff.
Journalists, I find, are dangerous people, and it is just as well to secure their good will; although I, as an unimportant person, will try never to furnish matter for a newspaper article. [_As_ BELLMAUS _lingers._] Can I do anything more for you?
BELLMAUS (_with warmth_).
Yes, Miss Runeck, if you would be so good as to accept this copy of my poems. They are poems of youth, to be sure, my first attempts, but I count on your friendly indulgence.
[_Draws a gilt-edged book from his pocket, and hands it to her._]
ADELAIDE.
I thank you heartily, Mr. Bellmaus. Never before has a poet presented me with his works. I shall read the beautiful book through in the country, and, under my trees, shall rejoice that I have friends in town who spare a thought for me too, when they represent beauty for other people.
BELLMAUS (_fervently_).
Rest a.s.sured, Miss Runeck, that no poet will forget you, who has once had the good fortune to make your acquaintance.
[_Exit with a deep bow._]
ADELAIDE.
This Mr. Schmock with the three gla.s.ses of punch is well worth cultivating, I should say. Scarcely have I arrived in town when my room turns into a regular business office, where editors and authors ply their trade. I fear that is an omen.
[_Exit to the left._]
_It grows dark. The_ COLONEL _enters from the garden._
COLONEL (_slowly coming forward_).
I am glad that all is over between us. [_Stamping his foot._] I am very glad! [_In a depressed tone._] I feel free and more relieved than for a long time. I think I could actually sing! At this moment I am the subject of conversation over all tea-cups, on all beer-benches.
Everywhere arguing and laughter: It serves him right, the old fool!
d.a.m.n! [_Enter_ CARL, _with lights and the newspaper_.] Who told you to bring the lamp?
CARL.
Colonel, it is your hour for reading the newspaper. Here it is. [_Lays it on the table_.]
COLONEL.
A low rabble, these gentlemen of the pen! Cowardly, malicious, insidious in their anonymity. How this band will triumph now, and over me! How they will laud their editor to the skies! There lies the contemptible sheet! In it stands my defeat, trumpeted forth with full cheeks, with scornful shrugs of the shoulders--away with it! [_Walks up and down, looks at the newspaper on the ground, picking it up_.]
All the same I will drink out the dregs! [_Seats himself.]_ Here, right in the beginning! [_Reading_.] "Professor Oldendorf--majority of two votes. This journal is bound to rejoice over the result."--I don"t doubt it!--"But no less a matter for rejoicing was the electoral contest which preceded it."--Naturally--"It has probably never before been the case that, as here, two men stood against each other who were so closely united by years of friendship, both so distinguished by the good will of their fellow-citizens. It was a knightly combat between two friends, full of generosity, without malice, without jealousy; yes doubtless, deep down in his heart, each harbored the hope that his friend and opponent and not himself would be the victor"--[_Lays down the paper; wipes his brow_.] What sort of language is that? [_Reads_.]
"and aside from some special party views, never did a man have greater claims to victory than our honored opponent. What he, through his upright, n.o.ble personality stands for among his wide circle of friends and acquaintances, this is not the place to dwell upon. But the way in which, by his active partic.i.p.ation in all public spirited enterprises of the town, he has given aid and counsel, is universally known and will be realized by our fellow-citizens, especially today, with heartfelt grat.i.tude." [_Lays the paper aside_.] That is a vile style!
[_Reads on_.] "By a very small majority of votes our town has decreed to uphold the younger friend"s political views in Parliament. But by all parties today--so it is reported--addresses and deputations are being prepared, not to extol the victor in the electoral contest, but to express to his opponent the general reverence and respect of which never a man was more worthy than he."--That is open a.s.sa.s.sination!
That is a fearful indiscretion of Oldendorf"s, that is the revenge of a journalist, so fine and pointed! Oh, it is just like him! No, it is not like him! It is revolting, it is inhuman! What am I to do!
Deputations and addresses to me? To Oldendorf"s friend? Bah, it is all mere gossip, newspaper-babble that costs nothing but a few fine words!
The town knows nothing of these sentiments. It is blackguardism!
_Enter_ CARL.
CARL.
Letters from the local mail.
[_Lays them on the table._]