lds out his hand to each of them_.]

PIEPENBRINK. If my wife is satisfied it will suit me all right.

BOLZ. Done! Agreed! And now the first toast. To the good spirit who
brought us together today, long may he live!--[_Questioning those
about him_.] What's the spirit's name?

FRITZ KLEINMICHEL. Chance.

BOLZ. No, he has a yellow cap.

PIEPENBRINK. Yellow-seal is his name.

BOLZ. Correct! Here's his health! We hope the gentleman may last a
long time, as the cat said to the bird when she bit its head off.

KLEINMICHEL. We wish him long life just as we are putting an end to
him.

BOLZ. Well said! Long life!

PIEPENBRINK. Long life!

[_They touch glasses_. PIEPENBRINK _to his wife_.]

It is going to turn out well today, after all.

MRS. PIEPENBRINK. They are very modest nice men.

BOLZ. You can't imagine how glad I am that our good fortune brought us
into such pleasant company. For although in there everything is very
prettily arranged--

PIEPENBRINK. It really is all very creditable.

BOLZ. Very creditable! But yet this political society is not to my
taste.

PIEPENBRINK. Ah, indeed! You don't belong to the party, I suppose, and
on that account do not like it.

BOLZ. It's not that! But when I reflect that all these people have
been invited, not really to heartily enjoy themselves, but in order
that they shall presently give their votes to this or that gentleman,
it cools my ardor.

PIEPENBRINK. Oh, it can hardly be meant just that way. Something could
be said on the other side--don't you think so, comrade?

KLEINMICHEL. I trust no one will be asked to sign any agreement here.

BOLZ. Perhaps not. I have no vote to cast and I am proud to be in a
company where nothing else is thought of but enjoying oneself with
one's neighbor and paying attention to the queens of society--to
charming women! Touch glasses, gentlemen, to the health of the ladies,
of the two who adorn our circle. [_All touch glasses_.]

PIEPENBRINK. Come here, Lottie, your health is being drunk.

BOLZ. Young lady, allow a stranger to drink to your future prosperity.

PIEPENBRINK. What else do you suppose they are going to do in there?

FRITZ KLEINMICHEL. I hear that at supper there are to be speeches, and
the candidate for election, Colonel Berg, is to be introduced.

PIEPENBRINK. A very estimable gentleman.

KLEINMICHEL. Yes, it is a good choice the gentlemen on the committee
have made.

ADELAIDE, _who has been visible in the