drank one glass on trial, but afterwards was forced to drink
others; moreover, she felt that it helped her, for she had not yet
rid herself of stage nervousness and was trembling about the fate of
the play.

After various courses had been served, the waiters placed on the
table a whole battery of bottles full of wines and liqueurs.

"Now we'll have something to fight with!" cried Glas jovially,
tinkling a bottle with his knife.

"You will fall a victim to your own triumph, if you continue to
attack with the same fervor," laughed Wawrzecki.

"You people can talk, while we drink!" called Kotlicki, raising his
glass. "Here's to the health of our author!"

"May you choke, you Zulu!" growled Glogowski, rising and touching
glasses with everybody.

"May he live long and write a new masterpiece each year!" cried
Cabinski, already quite tipsy.

"You, Director, also create masterpieces almost every year, yet no
one upbraids you for it," jested Glas.

"With the help of God and man, gentlemen, yes, yes!" answered
Cabinski.

Mimi burst out laughing and all joined her.

"Come let me hug you! For once you do not lie!" cried Glas.

Pepa almost died laughing.

"Here's to the health of Mr. and Mrs. Director!" called Wawrzecki.

"May they live long and with the help of God and man create more
masterpieces!"

"Here's to the health of the whole company!"

"And now let us drink to the public."

"Permit me to interrupt you a moment. Since I alone here represent
the public, therefore render homage to me. Approach me with respect
and drink to me. You may even kiss me and ask me for some favor. I
will consider your request and bestow whatever I am able to!" cried
Kotlicki gleefully.

He took a glass from the table, stood before a mirror and waited.

"Can you beat that for conceit! I will be the first to undergo the
ordeal!" cried Glogowski, and with brimming glass, already a bit
wobbly on his pins he approached Kotlicki.

"Most esteemed and gracious lady! I give you plays written with my
heart's blood; only understand and value them justly!" he declaimed
with mock pathos, kissing Kotlicki's face.

"If you, oh master, will write them for me, if you will not offend
me with brutalities, if you will reckon with me and write for me
alone so that I can enjoy and entertain myself, then I will give you
success!"

"First I will kick you and may you croak!" hissed Glogowski
bitterly.

Cabinski approached next.

"Most este