The German Classics of the Nineteenth and Twentieth Centuries Volume Xii Part 36

Sir, you're in league with the devil!

BOLZ (_turning quickly around_).

Very kind of you, Colonel, to show yourself at the window with me.

[COLONEL _retreats_.]

SENDEN (_from below_).

Whose voice is that!

BOLZ.

Good evening, Mr. von Senden!--The gentleman with the dark lantern and white inscription would oblige us greatly by kindly lifting it up to the Colonel. Blow your light out, man, and hand me the lantern. So, thank you--man with the witty motto! [_Pulling in the stick and lantern_.] Here, Colonel, is the doc.u.ment of the brotherly love your friends cherish toward us. [_Tears the lantern from the stick_.] The lantern for you, the stick for the lantern-bearer! [_Throws the stick out of the window_.] I have the honor to bid you good day!

[_Turns to go, meets_ ADELAIDE.]

_Male chorus, close at hand again: "Within the precincts of our town;"

trumpets join in; then many voices: "Long live_ COLONEL BERG!

_Hurrah!_" ADELAIDE _has entered on the left, during the noise_.

ADELAIDE.

Well, is the whole town upside-down today?

BOLZ.

I've done my share; he is half converted. Good night!

COLONEL (_throwing the lantern on the ground--in a rage_).

To the devil with all journalists!

_Male chorus_, SENDEN, BLUMENBERG _and many other gentlemen, in procession, are visible through the door into the garden; the deputation comes in; chorus and lantern-bearers form a group at the entrance_.

SENDEN (_with a loud voice while the curtain is lowered_).

Colonel, the Club has the honor of greeting its revered members!

ACT IV

SCENE I

_The_ COLONEL'S _summer parlor_. COLONEL _enters from the garden, followed by_ CARL.

COLONEL (_on entering, crossly_).

Who ordered William to bring the horse round in front of the bedrooms?

The brute makes a noise with his hoofs that would wake the dead.

CARL.

Are you not going to ride today, Colonel?

COLONEL.

No. Take the horse to the stable!

CARL.

Yes, Colonel. [_Exit_.]

COLONEL (_rings_, CARL _reappears at the door_).

Is Miss Runeck at home?

CARL.

She is in her room; the judge has been with her an hour already.

COLONEL.

What? Early in the morning?

CARL.

Here she is herself.

[_Exit as soon as_ ADELAIDE _enters_.]

_Enter_ ADELAIDE _and_ KORB _through the door on the right_.

ADELAIDE (_to_ KORB).

You had better remain near the garden gate, and when the said young man comes bring him to us.

[_Exit_ KORB.]

Good-morning, Colonel.

[_Going up to him and examining him gaily_.]

How is the weather today?