BOLZ. That I cannot do. But so soon as it is over I am fated to mourn and grow melancholy over your anger. I shall withdraw from the world--far, far to the North Pole. There I shall end my days sadly, playing dominoes with polar bears, or spreading the elements of journalistic training among the seals. That will be easier to endure than the scathing glance of your eyes. ADELAIDE (_laughing_). Yes, that's the way you always were. You made every possible promise and acted exactly as you pleased. But before starting for the North Pole, perhaps you will make one more effort to reconcile me here. [KÄMPE _is seen at the door._] Hush!--I shall look forward to your visit. Farewell, my re-found friend! [_EXIT_.] BOLZ. And thus my good angel turns her back to me in anger! And now, politics, thou witch, I am irretrievably in thy power! [_Exit quickly through centre door._] _Enter_ PIEPENBRINK, MRS. PIEPENBRINK, BERTHA _escorted by_ FRITZ KLEINMICHEL, _and_ KLEINMICHEL _through centre door. Quadrille behind the scenes._ PIEPENBRINK. Thank Heaven, we are out of this crowd! MRS. PIEPENBRINK. It is very hot. KLEINMICHEL. And the music is too loud. There are too many trumpets and I hate trumpets. PIEPENBRINK. Here's a quiet spot; we'll sit down here. FRITZ. Bertha would prefer staying in the ball-room. Might I not go back with her? PIEPENBRINK. I have no objection to you young people going back into the ball-room, but I prefer your staying here with us. I like to keep my whole party together. MRS. PIEPENBRINK. Stay with your parents, my child! PIEPENBRINK. Sit down! (_To his wife._) You sit at the corner, Fritz comes next to me. You take Bertha between you, neighbors. Her place will soon be at your table, anyway. [_They seat themselves at the table on the right--at the left corner_ MRS. PIEPENBRINK, _then he himself_, FRITZ, BERTHA, KLEINMICHEL.] FRITZ. When will "soon" be, godfather? You have been saying that this long time, but you put off the wedding day further and further. PIEPENBRINK. That is no concern of yours. FRITZ. I should think it is, godfather! Am I not the man that wants to marry Bertha? PIEPENBRINK. That's a fine argument! Any one can want that. But it's I who am to give her to you, which is more to the point, young man; for it is going to be hard enough for me to let the little wag-tail leave my nest. So you wait. You shall have her, but wait! KLEINMICHEL. He will wait, neighbor. PIEPENBRINK. Well, I should strongly advise him to do so. Hey! Waiter, waiter! [Illustration: _Permission F. Bruckman, A.-G. Munich_ ON THE TERRACE ADOLF VON MENZEL] MRS. PIEPENBRINK. What poor service one gets in such places! PIEPENBRINK. Waiter! [_Waiter comes._] My name is Piepenbrink. I brought along six bottles of my own wine. The restaurant-keeper has them. I should like them here. [_While the waiter is bringing the bottles and glasses_ BOLZ _and_ KÄMPE _appear. Waiter from time to time in the background._]