with the three glasses of punch is well worth
cultivating, I should say. Scarcely have I arrived in town when my
room turns into a regular business office, where editors and authors
ply their trade. I fear that is an omen.

[_Exit to the left._]

_It grows dark. The_ COLONEL _enters from the garden._

COLONEL (_slowly coming forward_).

I am glad that all is over between us. [_Stamping his foot._] I am
very glad! [_In a depressed tone._] I feel free and more relieved than
for a long time. I think I could actually sing! At this moment I am
the subject of conversation over all tea-cups, on all beer-benches.
Everywhere arguing and laughter: It serves him right, the old fool!
Damn! [_Enter_ CARL, _with lights and the newspaper_.] Who told you to
bring the lamp?

CARL.

Colonel, it is your hour for reading the newspaper. Here it is. [_Lays
it on the table_.]

COLONEL.

A low rabble, these gentlemen of the pen! Cowardly, malicious,
insidious in their anonymity. How this band will triumph now, and over
me! How they will laud their editor to the skies! There lies the
contemptible sheet! In it stands my defeat, trumpeted forth with full
cheeks, with scornful shrugs of the shoulders--away with it! [_Walks
up and down, looks at the newspaper on the ground, picking it up_.]
All the same I will drink out the dregs! [_Seats himself.]_ Here,
right in the beginning! [_Reading_.] "Professor Oldendorf--majority of
two votes. This journal is bound to rejoice over the result."--I don't
doubt it!--"But no less a matter for rejoicing was the electoral
contest which preceded it."--Naturally--"It has probably never before
been the case that, as here, two men stood against each other who were
so closely united by years of friendship, both so distinguished by the
good will of their fellow-citizens. It was a knightly combat between
two friends, full of generosity, without malice, without jealousy; yes
doubtless, deep down in his heart, each harbored the hope that his
friend and opponent and not himself would be the victor"--[_Lays down
the paper; wipes his brow_.] What sort of language is that? [_Reads_.]
"and aside from some special party views, never did a man have greater
claims to victory than our honored opponent. What he, through his
upright, noble personality stands for among his wide circle of friends
and acquaintances, this is not the place to dwell upon. But the way in
which, by his active participation in all public spirited