ACT II

SCENE I

_The_ COLONEL'S _summer parlor. In the foreground on the right_ IDA
_and_ ADELAIDE, _next to_ ADELAIDE _the_ COLONEL, _all sitting. In
front of them a table with coffee set._

COLONEL (_in conversation with_ ADELAIDE, _laughing_).

A splendid story, and cleverly told! I am heartily glad that you are
with us, dear Adelaide. Now, at any rate, we shall talk about
something else at table besides this everlasting politics! H'm! The
professor has not come today. He never used to miss our coffee-hour.

[_Pause;_ ADELAIDE _and_ IDA _look at each other._ IDA _sighs._]

ADELAIDE.

Perhaps he has work to do.

IDA.

Or he is vexed with us because I am going to the fete tonight.

COLONEL (_irritably_).

Nonsense, you are not his wife nor even openly his fiancee. You are in
your father's house and belong in my circle.--H'm! I see he treasures
it up against me that I did some plain speaking the other day. I think
I was a little impatient.

ADELAIDE (_nodding her head_).

Yes, a little, I hear.

IDA.

He is worried about the way you feel, dear father.

COLONEL.

Well, I have reason enough to be vexed; don't remind me of it. And
that, in addition, he lets himself be mixed up in these elections, is
unpardonable.

[_Walks up and down._]

But you had better send for him, Ida.

IDA _rings. Enter_ CARL.

IDA.

Our compliments to the professor and we are waiting coffee for him.

[_Exit_ CARL.]

COLONEL.

Well, that about waiting was not quite necessary. Why, we have
finished our coffee.

ADELAIDE.

Ida has not finished yet.

IDA.

Hush!

ADELAIDE.

Why did he ever let himself be put up as candidate? He has plenty to
do as it is.

COLONEL.

Pure ambition, girls. The devil of ambition possesses these young men.
He impels them as steam does a locomotive.

IDA.

No, father, _he_ never thought of himself in the matter.

COLONEL.

It does not stand out quite so nakedly as, "I must make a career for
myself," or "I wish to become a famous man." The procedure is more
delicate. The good friends come along and say: "Your duty to the good
cause requires you to--it is a crime against your country if you do
not--it is a sacrifice for you but we demand it." And so a pretty
mantle is thrown around vanity, and the candidate issues forth--from
pure patriotism of course! Don't teach an old soldier worldly wisdom.
We, dear Adelaide, sit calmly by and laugh at such weaknesses.