o stop the election, then.

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.

[KAeMPE _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