SHOEMAK.

Very well. (He takes the measure.) Will you be so kind as to draw your claws in a bit—­or rather nails?  I have already scratched myself. (He takes the measure.)

HINZE.

And they must be finished quickly. (As his leg is being stroked he begins to purr involuntarily.)

SHOEMAK.

The pussy is comfortable.

GOTTLIEB.

Yes, he’s a good-humored fellow.  He has just come from school, what they usually call a “smarty.”

SHOEMAK.

Well, good-bye.

[Exit.]

GOTTLIEB.

Wouldn’t you perhaps like to have your whiskers trimmed too?

HINZE.

On no account, I look so much more respectable, and you certainly must know that cats immediately become unmanly after that.  A tom-cat without whiskers is but a contemptible creature.

GOTTLIEB.

If I only knew what you are planning!

HINZE.

You’ll find out in due time.  Now I want to take a little walk on the roofs; there’s a fine, open view there and you’re likely to catch a dove too.

GOTTLIEB.

As a good friend, I want to warn you not to let yourself be caught at it.

HINZE.

Don’t worry, I’m not a novice.  Meanwhile, good-bye.

[Exit.]

GOTTLIEB (alone).

Natural history always says that cats cannot be trusted and that they belong to the lion family, and I am in such fearful dread of a lion.  Now if the cat had no conscience, he could run away from me afterward with the boots for which I must now give my last penny and then sell them somewhere for nothing, or it’s possible that he wants to make a bid for favor with the shoemaker and then go into his service.  But he has a tom-cat already.  No, Hinze, my brothers have betrayed me, and now I will try my luck with you.  He spoke so nobly, he was so touched—­there he sits on the roof yonder, stroking his whiskers—­forgive me, my fine friend, that I could even for a moment doubt your magnanimity.

[Exit.]

FISCHER.

What nonsense!

MUeLLER.

What does the cat need those boots for?—­to be able to walk better? 
Silly stuff!

SCHLOSS.

But it seems as though I saw a cat before me.

LEUTNER.

Be still, the scene is changing.

Hall in the royal palace

The KING with crown and sceptre.  The PRINCESS, his daughter

KING.

A thousand handsome princes, my precious daughter, have already sued for your hand and laid their kingdoms at your feet, but you have continued to refuse them.  Tell us the reason for this, my treasure.

PRINCESS.

My most gracious father, I have always believed that my heart must first feel certain emotions before my neck would bow under the yoke of marriage.  For a marriage without love, they say, is truly hell upon earth.