BOLZ. Take him into the restaurant, sit down in a corner with him, pour punch into every hollow of his poor head until his secrets jump out like wet mice. Make him chatter, especially about the elections. Go, little man, and take good care not to get overheated yourself and babble. BELLMAUS. In that case I shall not see much of the fête. BOLZ. That's true, my son! But what does the fête mean to you? Heat, dust, and stale dance-music. Besides, we will tell you all about it in the morning; and then you are a poet, and can imagine the whole affair to be much finer than it really was. So don't take it to heart. You may think you have a thankless role, but it is the most important of all, for it requires coolness and cleverness. Go, mousey, and look out about getting overheated. BELLMAUS. I'll look out, old tom-cat.--Come along Schmock! [BELLMAUS _and_ SCHMOCK _leave_.] BOLZ. We might as well separate, too. KÄMPE. I'll go and see how people feel. If I need you I'll look you up. BOLZ. I had better not show myself much. I'll stay around here. [_Exit_ KÄMPE.] Alone at last! [_Goes to centre door_.] There stands the Colonel, closely surrounded. It is she! She is here, and I have to lie in hiding like a fox under the leaves.--But she has falcon eyes,--perhaps--the throng disperses--she is walking through the hall arm-in-arm with Ida--(_Excitedly_.) They are drawing nearer! (_Irritably_.) Oh, bother! There is Korb rushing toward me! And just now! _Enter_ KORB. KORB. Mr. Conrad! I can't believe my eyes! You here, at this fête! BOLZ (_hastily_). Hush, old chap! I'm not here without a reason. I can trust you--you're one of us, you know. KORB. Body and soul. Through all the talking and fiddling I've kept saying to myself, "Long live the _Union!"_ Here she is! [_Shows him a paper in his pocket_.] BOLZ. Good, Korb, you can do me a great favor. In a corner of the refreshment room Bellmaus is sitting with a stranger. He is to pump the stranger, but cannot stand much himself and is likely to say things he shouldn't. You'll do the party a great service if you will hurry in and drink punch so as to keep Bellmaus up to the mark. You have a strong head--I know it from of old. KORB (_hastily_). I go! You are as full of tricks as ever, I see. You may rely on me. The stranger shall succumb, and the _Union_ shall triumph. [_Exit quickly. The music ceases_.] BOLZ. Poor Schmock! [_At the door_.] Ah, they are still walking through the hall. Ida is being spoken to, she stops, Adelaide goes on--(_Excitedly_.) she's coming, she's coming alone! ADELAIDE (_makes a motion as though to pass the door, but suddenly enters_. BOLZ _bows_). Conrad! My dear doctor! [_Holds out her hand_. BOLZ _bends low over it_.] ADELAIDE (_in joyous emotion_). I knew you at once from a distance. Let me see your faithful face. Yes, it has changed but little--a scar, browner, and a small line about the mouth. I hope it is from laughing.