liged for the good opinion.

PIEPENBRINK.

You have no reason to feel obliged. It is the truth. You are a man of
honor through and through, and it gives us pleasure to tell you so;
you cannot object to hearing this from your fellow-citizens.

COLONEL.

I always did consider myself a man of honor, gentlemen.

PIEPENBRINK.

There you were quite right. And you have proved your good principles,
too. On every occasion. In cases of poverty, of famine, of caring for
orphans, also at our shooting-club meeting--always when we citizens
enjoyed or needed a benevolent good man, you were among the first.
Always simple and loyal without arrogance or supercilious manners.
That's the reason why we universally love and honor you. (_Colonel
wipes his eyes_.) Today many of us gave their votes to the professor.
Some on account of politics, some because they know that he is your
close friend and possibly even your future son-in-law. COLONEL (_not
harshly_).

Sir--

PIEPENBRINK.

Nor did I myself vote for you.

COLONEL (_somewhat more excitedly_).

Sir--

PIEPENBRINK.

But for that very reason I come to you with the rest, and that is why
we tell you what the citizens think of you. And we hope that for long
years to come you will preserve to us your manly principles and
friendly heart as an honored, most respected gentleman and
fellow-citizen.

COLONEL (_without harshness_).

Why do you not say that to the professor, to the man that you have
chosen?

PIEPENBRINK.

He shall first deserve it in Parliament before the town thanks him.
But you _have_ deserved it of us, and therefore we come to you.

COLONEL (_heartily_).

I thank you, sir, for your kind words. They are very comforting to me
just now. May I ask your name?

PIEPENBRINK.

My name is Piepenbrink.

COLONEL (_morely coldly, but not impolitely_).

Ah, indeed, that is your name! (_With dignity._) I thank you,
gentlemen, for the friendly sentiment you have expressed, whether it
be that you render the true opinion of the town, or speak according to
the desire of individuals. I thank you, and shall go on doing what I
think is right.

[_Bows, so does the deputation; exit latter_.]

This, then, is that Piepenbrink, the close friend of his friend! But
the man's words were sensible and his whole demeanor honorable; it
cannot possibly be all rascality. Who knows! They are clever
intriguers; send into my house newspaper articles, letters, and these
good-natur