Bride (coldly).  I see.

[Another silence, at the end of which she rises and walks slowly away, pausing at the gate to see whether he intends to follow.  As he does not appear to have remarked her absence, she walks on.

Podbury (to Culch., in an undertone).  I say, those two don’t seem to hit it off exactly, eh?  Seem sorry they came!  You’ll be glad to hear, old fellow, that we needn’t separate after all.  Just found my purse in my trouser-pocket!

Culch. Better luck than you deserve.  Didn’t I tell you you should have a special pocket for your money and coupons?  Like this—­see. (He opens, his coat.) With a buttoned flap, it stands to reason they must be safe!

Podb. So long as you keep it buttoned, old chap,—­which you don’t seem to do!

Culch. (annoyed).  Pshaw!  The button is a trifle too—­(feels pocket, and turns pale).  Good Heavens, it—­it’s gone!

Podb. The button?

Culch. (patting himself all over with shaking hands).  Everything!—­money, coupons, circular notes!  They—­they must have fallen out going up that infernal Niederwald. (Angrily.) You would insist on going!

Podb.  Phew!  The whole bag of tricks gone!  You’re lucky if you get them again.  Any number of tramps and beggars all the way up.  Shouldn’t have taken off your coat—­very careless of you! (He grins.)

Culch. It was so hot.  I must go and inform the Police here—­I may recover it yet.  Anyway, we—­we must push on to Nuremberg, and I’ll telegraph home for money to be sent there.  You can let me have enough to get on with?

Podb. With all the pleasure in life, dear boy—­on your own conditions, you know.  I mean, if I pay the piper, I call the tune.  Now, I don’t cotton to Nuremberg somehow; I’d rather go straight on to Constance; we could get some rowing there.

Culch. (pettishly).  Rowing be ——­ (recollecting his helplessness).  No; but just consider, my dear PODBURY.  I assure you you’ll find Nuremberg a most delightful old place.  You must see how bent I am on going there!

Podb. Oh, yes, I see that.  But then I’m not, don’t you know—­so there we are!

Culch. (desperately).  Well, I’ll—­I’ll meet you half-way.  I’ve no objection to—­er—­titting up with you—­Nuremberg or Constance.  Come?

Podb. You weren’t so anxious to tit up just now—­but never mind. (Producing a mark.) Now then, Emperor—­Constance.  Eagle—­Nuremberg.  Is it sudden death, or best out of three? [He tosses.

Culch. Sud—­(The coin falls with the Emperor uppermost.) Best out of three.

    [He takes coin from PODBURY and tosses.

Podb. Eagle! we’re even so far. (He receives coin.) This settles it. [He tosses.