[_His head bears witness to a sharply defined character: large nose, pale, a serious expression, beardless, about the mouth a flicker of kindly mischievousness. With hollow voice, gentle and suppressed._] You must know that we are the three kings out of the East. HASSENREUTER [_Who still holds the apparatus aloft in his hands._] What are you? KAeFERSTEIN [_As before._] We want to adore the babe. HASSENREUTER Ha, ha, ha, ha! If you are the kings out of the East, gentlemen, it seems to me that the third of you is lacking. KAeFERSTEIN The third is our new fellow pupil in the field of dramaturgic activity, the _studiosus theologiae_, who is detained at present at the corner of Blumen and Wallnertheater streets by an accident partly sociological, partly psychological in its nature. DR. KEGEL We made all possible haste to escape. HASSENREUTER Do you see, a star stands above this house, Mrs. John! But do tell me, has our excellent Spitta once more made some public application of his quackery for the healing of the so-called sins of the social order? Ha, ha, ha, ha! _Semper idem!_ Why, that fellow is actually becoming a nuisance! KAeFERSTEIN A crowd gathered in the street for some reason and it seems that he discovered a friend in the midst of it. HASSENREUTER According to my unauthoritative opinion this young Spitta would have done much better as a surgeon's assistant or Salvation Army officer. But that's the way of the world: the fellow must needs want to be an actor. MRS. HASSENREUTER Mr. Spitta, the children's tutor, wants to become an actor? HASSENREUTER That is exactly the plan he has proposed to me, mama.--But now, if you bring incense and myrrh, dear Kaeferstein, out with them! You observe what a many sided man your teacher is. Now I help my pupils, thirsty after the contents of the Muses' breasts, to the nourishment they desire--_nutrimentum spiritus_--again I.... KAeFERSTEIN [_Rattles a toy bank._] Well, I deposit this offering, which is a fire-proof bank, next to the perambulator of this excellent offspring of the mason, with the wish that he will rise to be at least a royal architect. JOHN [_Having put cordial glasses on the table, he fetches and opens a fresh bottle._] Well, now I'm goin' to uncork the _Danziger Goldwasser_. HASSENREUTER To him who hath shall be given, as you observe, Mrs. John. JOHN [_Filling the glasses._] Nobody ain't goin' to say that my child's unprovided for, gentlemen. But I takes it very kindly o' you, gentlemen! [_All except MRS. HASSENREUTER and WALBURGA lift up their glasses._] To you health! Come on, mother, we'll drink together too. [_The action follows the words._ HASSENREUTER [_In a tone of reproof._] Mama, you must, of course, drink with us. JOHN