First Old Gentleman. Have they decided not to attend the court then? A Dandy. Unanimously decided. A Woman. It's filthy! The Dandy. I beg your pardon? The Woman. I say that those fellows in there will condescend to seduce our daughters, right enough; but they won't condescend to marry them. But, you see, the King does. The Workman. I am not sure it wouldn't be better if he didn't. The Woman. Well, I know people who say that she is quite a respectable person. The Dandy. I imagine that you have not read the newspapers? First Old Gentleman. Hm!--one has to be a little careful as to how far one believes the newspapers. Second Old Gentleman (offering him his snuff-box). I am delighted to hear you say that! There is such a lot of slander flying about. That bawdy ballad just now; for instance. The Woman. Yes, that's poking fun at _him_--I know that. The Dandy. You had better take care what you are saying, my good woman! The Woman. Ah, I only say what I know. (FLINK appears on the steps of the statue beside the BALLAD SINGER.) Flink. Stop your stupid songs! I want to speak! Voice in the Crowd. Who is that? Flink. You don't know me. I have never made public speeches--and least of all to street mobs. Voice in the Crowd. Why are you doing it now, then? Flink. Because I have been charged with a message to you! (The members of the club rush to the windows and on to the balcony and steps. Uproar.) Voice in the Crowd. Be quiet! Let us hear him! Flink. Listen to me, good people! You don't know me. But you used to know a tall chap, with long white hair and a big hat, who often made speeches to you. I mean Professor Ernst. Voice in the Crowd. Three cheers for Professor Ernst. (Cheers.) Flink. He was sent to prison, as you know, for high treason; escaped from prison, but broke his legs. Now he is living in exile, hopelessly crippled. Voice in the Crowd. He got a pardon. Another. No one knows where he is. Flink. I know where he is. He has charged me to deliver a message to you to-day. Voices from the Club. Bravo! Voices from the Crowd. Has he! Bravo, Ernst! Voices from the Club. Be quiet, down there! Flink. He made me promise that, on the day on which his daughter was to be presented at the palace as the King's betrothed, I would stand up in some public place where she would pass by, and say that it was being done against her father's will and in spite of his urgent entreaties and commands. (Loud cries of "Bravo!" from the club. A voice in the crowd: "That is just what we thought!") I am charged to announce publicly that he despises her for it and sends her his curse! (Fresh cries of "Bravo!" from the club. Voices in the crowd: "That's shocking!"--"No, he was quite right;" etc., etc. Uproar.) Quiet, good people! A Young Man in the Crowd. May I be allowed to ask a question? (Shouts of "Yes!" and "No!" and laughter are heard.) Flink. By all means.