KORB.

I am pleased to make your acquaintance, Mr. Bellmaus.

BELLMAUS.

And I to make yours.  You have not told me his name yet.

BOLZ.

Korb.  He has had a great deal to carry in his life, and has often carried me on his back, too.

BELLMAUS.

I too am pleased, Mr. Korb. [They shake hands.]

KORB.

Well, that is in order, and now I must go or Miss Adelaide will be waiting.

BOLZ.

Good-by!  Hope to see you very soon again.

[Exit KORB; exit BELLMAUS through door on the right.]

BOLZ (alone).

So this Senden is courting her!  Oh, that is bitter!

Enter HENNING, followed by MILLER.

HENNING (in his dressing-gown, hurriedly, with a printed roll in his hand).

Your servant, Mr. Bolz!  Is “opponent” spelt with one p or with two p’s?  The new proofreader has corrected it one p.

BOLZ (deep in his thoughts).

Estimable Mr. Henning, the Union prints it with two p’s.

HENNING.

I said so at once. [To MILLER.] It must be changed; the press is waiting.

[Exit MILLER hastily.]

I took occasion to read the leading article.  Doubtless you wrote it yourself.  It is very good, but too sharp, Mr. Bolz.  Pepper and mustard—­that will give offense; it will cause bad blood.

BOLZ (still deep in his thoughts, violently).

I always did have an antipathy to this man!

[Illustration:  Permission Union Deutsche Verlagsgesellschaft, Stuttgart.  NATURE ENTHUSIASTS.  ADOLPH VON MENZEL]

HENNING (hurt).

How?  What?  Mr. Bolz?  You have an antipathy to me?

BOLZ.

To whom?  No, dear Mr. Henning, you are a good fellow and would be the best newspaper owner in the world, if only you were not often as frightened as a hare. [Embraces him.] My regards to Mrs. Henning, sir, and leave me alone.  I am thinking up my next article.

HENNING (while he is being thrust out).

But do, please, write very moderately and kindly, dear Mr. Bolz.

BOLZ (alone, walking to and fro again).

Senden avoids me whenever he can.  He stands things from me that any one else would strongly resent.  Is it possible that he suspects—­

Enter MILLER.

MILLER (hurriedly).

A lady I don’t know wishes to pay her respects to you.

BOLZ.

A lady!  And to me?

MILLER.

To the editor. [Hands him a card.]

BOLZ (reads).

Leontine Pavoni-Gessler, nee Melloni from Paris.  She must have to do with art.  Is she pretty?

MILLER.

H’m!  So, so!

BOLZ.