BLUMENBERG.

You will let me send it at once to press. [At the door.] Schmock!

[SCHMOCK appears at the door, takes the manuscript and exit quickly.]

SENDEN.

Blumenberg is keeping the sheet up to the mark, but, as he has enemies, he has to fight hard to defend himself.

COLONEL (amused).

Enemies?  Who does not have them?  But journalists have nerves like women.  Everything excites you; every word that any one says against you rouses your indignation!  Oh come, you are sensitive people!

BLUMENBERG.

Possibly you are right, Colonel.  But when one has opponents like this Union—­

COLONEL.

Oh, yes, the Union.  It is a thorn in the flesh to both of you.  There is a great deal in it that I cannot praise; but, really when it comes to sounding an alarm, attacking, and pitching in, it is cleverer than your paper.  The articles are witty; even when they are on the wrong side one cannot help laughing at them.

BLUMENBERG.

Not always.  In today’s attack on the best articles the
Coriolanus has published in a long time I see no wit at all.

COLONEL.

Attack on what articles?

BLUMENBERG.

On yours, Colonel.  I must have the paper somewhere about me.

[Searches, and gives him a copy of the Union.]

COLONEL.

Oldendorf’s paper attacks my articles! [Reads.] “We regret such lack of knowledge—­”

BLUMENBERG.

And here—­

COLONEL.

“It is an unpardonable piece of presumption”—­What!  I am presumptuous?

BLUMENBERG.

And here—­

COLONEL.

“One may be in doubt as to whether the naivete of the contributor is comical or tragical, but at all events he has no right to join in the discussion”—­[Throwing down the paper.] Oh, that is contemptible!  It is a low trick!

Enter IDA and OLDENDORF from the garden.

SENDEN (aside).

Now comes the cloud-burst!

COLONEL.

Professor, your newspaper is making progress.  To bad principles is now added something else—­baseness.

IDA (frightened).

Father!

OLDENDORF (coming forward).

Colonel, how can you justify this insulting expression?

COLONEL (holding out the paper to him).

Look here!  That stands in your paper!  In your paper, Oldendorf!

OLDENDORF.

The tone of the attack is not quite as calm as I could have wished—­

COLONEL.

Not quite so calm?  Not really?

OLDENDORF.

In substance the attack is justified.

COLONEL.

Sir!  You dare say that to me!

IDA.

Father!

OLDENDORF.