y or--?

Flink (impetuously). I would ten thousand times rather have the bigoted
prince, with all his own and his mother's follies!--the madder the
better!

Gran. No, no, no, no!

The King (to GRAN and KOLL). We see his true colours now! (Moves away
from them.)

Koll (to FLINK). That is the way you republicans always ride your
principles to death.

Gran. Patriotism ought to come before--

Flink.--before truth? No; a short sharp pang of agony is better than
endless doubt and falsehood, my friend! That is true patriotism.

Koll. Oh, these theories!--these phrases!

Gran. I am a republican as well as you, and, I think, as sincere a one.
But I should have no hesitation--

Flink.--in playing the traitor?

Gran. Why do you use such words as that?

Flink. Words! Do you think it is nothing but words? No, my friend, if
you did what--what I did not allow you to say--I should come here one
day to call you to account. And if you refused to fight me, I should
shoot you like a dog!

Gran (gently). You would not do that.

Flink (heatedly). Not do it?--Have I given you the deepest affection of
which my heart is capable, only for you to turn traitor to it? Am I
to see the man whose character is the crowning achievement of my life,
betraying our cause--and, by reason of his great personal
prestige, dragging thousands down with him? On the head of all the
disillusionments I have suffered, am I to have this one in the evening
of my life--? (Stops, overcome by his emotion. A pause.) You shouldn't
jest about such things you know. (Walks away. ANNA has placed herself in
front of GRAN, as if to protect him.)

Koll. I think we had better change the subject, and go out for a little!

The King (aside, to him). Yes, get him away!

Flink (in the background, as if he were addressing an invisible
audience). We must have discipline in the ranks!

Koll. Gran, ask your maid to hurry up with the supper.

Gran. Yes, I will.

Koll (to the KING). What do you say to a turn in the garden, meanwhile?

The King. By all means!

Flink (coming forward to GRAN). This friendship of yours with the
King--to which I had attached no particular importance--I hope it has
not altogether--(Stops short.)

Gran.--not altogether corrupted me, you mean?

Flink. Exactly.

The King (laughing). Politically?

Flink. Politics are not unconnected with morals, sir!

The King. But why get so heated, sir? We know that the present King is
a--

Koll (