MRS. VON TIEDEMANN. You _didn't_, how they kept on whispering together? She hasn't a bit of modesty! VON TIEDEMANN. I'll bet my head Laskowski will plant himself here some day. The young man surely can't make it go in the long run. Why he can't hold on to the estate. MRS. VON TIEDEMANN. Didn't she bat her eyes again! MERTENS. She _does_ have eyes! VON TIEDEMANN. _Does_ she! MRS. VON TIEDEMANN. Just go ahead and propose to her, the togged-out thing!... Come on Gretchen! [Both go off to the left.] VON TIEDEMANN. Bang! MERTENS. What do you think of _that_? VON TIEDEMANN. Let's see if we can find a cocktail! Come on Mertens! (They go out at the left.) [PAUL, ANTOINETTE, GLYSZINSKI come over from the right.] [Illustration: FORDING THE WATER] GLYSZINSKI (quite intoxicated, to ANTOINETTE). Without a doubt, madam, a beautiful, sensitive soul will, above all, find expression in the hand. So would you, perhaps, let me have your hand for a moment.... ANTOINETTE (chilly). For what purpose? GLYSZINSKI (has seized her hand, impassioned). Only to imprint a kiss upon these beautiful, soft, delicate, distinguished, aristocratic finger-tips! (He kisses her finger-tips.) ANTOINETTE (withdraws her hand). I beg your pardon, sir! LASKOWSKI (is detained in a group consisting of SCHROCK, RAABE JR., and others. He has seen GLYSZINSKI kiss ANTOINETTE'S hand). Boys, let me go! SCHROCK, RAABE, and OTHERS. Stay right here, old boy. LASKOWSKI. Let me go, I say ... I want to get to my dearie! (He tries to disengage himself.) SCHROCK (very unsteady on his feet). Dear old chap! I'll ... not ... let you!... Let's have another drink first! LASKOWSKI. I want to get to my dearie! (They restrain him.) GLYSZINSKI (follows ANTOINETTE with his eyes. She has retreated behind the oleanders in the foreground on the left). Ravishing creature! I must follow her! (About to follow her.) PAUL. That you will not do! (Intercepts him.) GLYSZINSKI. Let me pass! PAUL. That way, please! (He points to the left.) GLYSZINSKI (with clenched fists). Brutal fellow! (He struts toward the left and runs into LASKOWSKI, who is still standing in the group with SCHROCK and the rest, and who immediately fraternizes with him.) PAUL (looking at him as he goes). A rare team! LASKOWSKI (approaches GLYSZINSKI, trying to embrace him). Old chap!... Are you a Pole? GLYSZINSKI. A Pole! Yes, indeed! von Glyszinski! LASKOWSKI. Your name is Glyszinski! Mine is Laskowski! Come to my heart, fellow countryman! RAABE. Boys, such a thing as that calls for a drink. (He goes over toward the left.) LASKOWSKI. Drink, fellow countryman! Drink and kiss my wife. Do you want to kiss my wife? GLYSZINSKI (pompously). Sir! LASKOWSKI. _You_ may. Nobody else. A Pole may. Ain't she beautiful, that dearie of mine? GLYSZINSKI. Beautiful as the starry sky! LASKOWSKI (embracing his neck). Brother! Come along! SCHROCK (stands near them, swaying). Your health, you ... jolly ... brothers!