STEPHENSON. (_To Wirthin—aside._) Oh, there isn’t any mistake about it—Gretchen’s just a rattling teacher! WIRTHIN. (_To Stephenson—aside._) I’ll skin her alive when I get my hands on her! M. Kommt, alle Verliebte! (_They jump up, join hands, and sing in chorus_)— Du, Du, wie ich Dich liebe, Du, Du, liebst auch mich! Die, die zärtlichsten Triebe— S. (_Stepping forward._) Well! The girls throw themselves upon his neck with enthusiasm. THE GIRLS. Why, father! S. My darlings! The young men hesitate a moment, then they add their embrace, flinging themselves on Stephenson’s neck, along with the girls. THE YOUNG MEN. Why, father! S. (_Struggling._) Oh come, this is too thin!—too quick, I mean. Let go, you rascals! GEO. We’ll never let go till you put us on the family list. M. Right! hold to him! A. Cling to him, Will! Gretchen rushes in and joins the general embrace, but is snatched away by the Wirthin, crushed up against the wall and threatened with destruction. S. (_Suffocating._) All right, all right—have it your own way, you quartette of swindlers! W. He’s a darling! Three cheers for papa! EVERYBODY. (_Except Stephenson who bows with hand on heart._) Hip—hip—hip: hurrah, hurrah, hurrah! GR. Der Tiger—ah-h-h! WIRTHIN. Sei ruhig, you hussy! S. Well, I’ve lost a couple of precious daughters, but I’ve gained a couple of precious scamps to fill up the gap with; so it’s all right. I’m satisfied, and everybody’s forgiven—(_With mock threats at Gretchen._) W. Oh, wir werden für Dich sorgen—du herrliches Gretchen! GR. Danke schön! M. (_To Wirthin._) Und für Sie auch; denn wenn Sie nicht so freundlich gewesen wären, krank zu werden, wie wären wir je so glücklich geworden wie jetzt? WIRTHIN. Well, dear, I _was_ kind, but I didn’t mean it. But I ain’t sorry—not one bit—that I ain’t. Tableau. S. Come now, the situation is full of hope, and grace, and tender sentiment. If I had in the least the poetic gift, I know I could improvise under such an inspiration (_each girl nudges her sweetheart_) something worthy to—to—is there no poet among us? Each youth turns solemnly his back upon the other and raises his hands in benediction over his sweetheart’s bowed head. Both youths at once. Mir ist als ob ich die Hände Aufs Haupt Dir legen sollt— They turn and look reproachfully at each other—the girls contemplate them with injured surprise. S. (_Reflectively._) I think I’ve heard that before somewhere. WIRTHIN. _(Aside._) Why the very cats in Germany know it! Curtain. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ _Price-List of Publications issued by_ _CHARLES L. WEBSTER & CO._ _William Sharp._