ine-drinker should take his red wine.

KAeMPE. And that is?

PIEPENBRINK (_ironically_). I really should like to know.

BOLZ. It's a certain Piepenbrink.

PIEPENBRINK (_nodding his head contentedly_). Good!

KAeMPE. Yes, it is well known to be a very reliable firm.

PIEPENBRINK. They don't know that their own wine, too, is from my
cellars. Ha! Ha! Ha!

BOLZ (_turning to him_). Are you laughing at us, Sir?

PIEPENBRINK. Ha! Ha! Ha! No offense. I merely heard you talking about
the wine. So you like Piepenbrink's wine better than this here? Ha!
Ha! Ha!

BOLZ (_slightly indignant_). Sir, I must request you to find my
expressions less comical. I do not know Mr. Piepenbrink, but I have
the pleasure of knowing his wine; and so I repeat the assertion that
Piepenbrink has better wine in his cellar than this here. What do you
find to laugh at in that? You do not know Piepenbrink's wines and have
no right to judge of them.

PIEPENBRINK. I do not know Piepenbrink's wines, I do not know Philip
Piepenbrink either, I never saw his wife--do you hear that,
Lottie?--And when his daughter Bertha meets me I ask, "Who is that
little black-head?" That is a funny story. Isn't it, Kleinmichel?

KLEINMICHEL. It is very funny! [_Laughs._]

BOLZ (_rising with dignity_). Sir, I am a stranger to you and have
never insulted you. You look honorable and I find you in the society
of charming ladies. For that reason I cannot imagine that you came
here to mock at strangers. As man to man, therefore, I request you to
explain why you find my harmless words so astonishing. If you don't
like Mr. Piepenbrink why do you visit it on us?

PIEPENBRINK _(rising_). Don't get too excited, Sir. Now, see here! The
wine you are now drinking is also from Piepenbrink's cellar, and I
myself am the Philip Piepenbrink for whose sake you are pitching into
me. Now, do you see why I laugh?

BOLZ. Ah, is that the way things stand? You yourself are Mr.
Piepenbrink? Then I am really glad to make your acquaintance. No
offense, honored Sir!

PIEPENBRINK. No, no offense. Everything is all right.

BOLZ. Since you were so kind as to tell us your name, the next thing
in order is for you to learn ours. I'm Bolz, Doctor of Philosophy, and
my friend here is Mr. Kaempe.

PIEPENBRINK. Pleased to meet you.

BOLZ. We are comparative strangers in this company and had withdrawn
to this side room as one feels slightly embarrassed among so many new
faces. But we should be