. He is presumptuous; he has thrust himself in!

PIEPENBRINK (_bringing down his hand on the table and rising_). Oho! I
like that! If I kiss my wife or let her be kissed, that is nobody's
concern whatever! Nobody's! No man and no woman and no fairy has a
right to put a hand before her mouth.

BOLZ. Very true! Splendid! Hear! Hear!

SENDEN. Revered Mr. Piepenbrink, no offense against you! The company
is charmed to see you here. Only to Mr. Bolz we will remark that his
presence is causing scandal. So completely opposed are his political
principles that we must regard his appearing at this fete as an
unwarrantable intrusion!

BOLZ. My political principles opposed? In society I know no other
political principle than this--to drink with nice people and not to
drink with those whom I do not consider nice. With you, Sir, I have
not drunk.

PIEPENBRINK _(striking the table_). That was a good one!

SENDEN _(hotly)_. You thrust yourself in here!

BOLZ _(indignantly)_. Thrust myself in?

PIEPENBRINK. Thrust himself in? Old man, you have an entrance ticket,
I suppose?

BOLZ _(frankly)_. Here is my ticket! It is not you I am showing it to,
but this honorable man from whom you are trying to estrange me by
your attack. Kaempe, give your ticket to Mr. Piepenbrink. He is the man
to judge of all the tickets in the world!

PIEPENBRINK. Here are two tickets just exactly as valid as my own.
Why, you scattered them right and left like sour grape juice. Oho! I
see quite well how things stand! I'm not one of your crowd, either,
but you want to get me. That's why you came to my house again and
again--because you expected to capture me. Because I am a voter,
that's why you're after me. But because this honorable man is not a
voter he does not count for you at all. We know those smooth tricks!

SENDEN. But, Mr. Piepenbrink!

PIEPENBRINK _(interrupting him, more angrily)_. Is that any reason for
insulting a peaceful guest? Is it a reason for closing my wife's
mouth? It is an injustice to this man, and he shall stay here as long
as I do. And he shall stay here by my side. And whoever attempts to
attack him will have to deal with me!

BOLZ. Your fist, good sir! You're a faithful comrade! And so
hand-in-hand with you Philip, I defy the Capulet and his entire clan!

PIEPENBRINK. Philip! Right you are, Conrad, my boy! Come here! They
shall swell with anger till they burst! Here's to Philip and Conrad!
_[They drink brotherhood.]_

BO