Advise against it, of course; we need every one who is willing to work here at home. Depict Australia as a contemptible hole. Be perfectly truthful but make it as black as possible--how the Kangaroo, balled into a heap, springs with invincible malice at the settler's head, while the duckbill nips at the back of his legs; how the gold-seeker has, in winter, to stand up to his neck in salt water while for three months in summer he has not a drop to drink; how he may live through all that only to be eaten up at last by thievish natives. Make it very vivid and end up with the latest market prices for Australian wool from the _Times_. You'll find what books you need in the library. [_Slams the door to._] OLDENDORF (_at the table_). Do you know Miss Runeck? She often inquires about you in her letters to Ida. BOLZ. Indeed? Yes, to be sure, I know her. We are from the same village--she from the manor-house, I from the parsonage. My father taught us together. Oh, yes, I know her! OLDENDORF. How comes it that you have drifted so far apart? You never speak of her. BOLZ. H'm! It is an old story--family quarrels, Montagues and Capulets. I have not seen her for a long time. OLDENDORF (_smiling_). I hope that you too were not estranged by politics. BOLZ. Politics did, indeed, have something to do with our separation; you see it is the common misfortune that party life destroys friendship. OLDENDORF. Sad to relate! In religion any educated man will tolerate the convictions of another; but in politics we treat each other like reprobates if there be the slightest shade of difference of opinion between us. BOLZ (_aside_). Matter for our next article! (_Aloud._) "The slightest shade of difference of opinion between us." Just what I think! We must have that in our paper! (_Entreating)_. Look! A nice little virtuous article: "An admonition to our voters--Respect our opponents, for they are, after all, our brothers!" (_Urging him more and more._) Oldendorf, that would be something for you--there is virtue and humanity in the theme; writing will divert you, and you owe the paper an article because you forbade the feud. Please do me the favor! Go into the back room there and write. No one shall disturb you. OLDENDORF (_smiling_). You are just a vulgar intriguer! BOLZ (_forcing him from his chair_).