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.

ADELAIDE.

And are indulgent toward them when we have so good a heart as you.

COLONEL.

Yes, one profits by experience.

Enter CARL.

CARL.

Mr. von Senden and two other gentlemen.

COLONEL.

What do they want?  Pleased to see them!

[Exit CARL.]

Allow me to have them shown in here, children.  Senden never stays long.  He is a roving spirit.

[The ladies rise.]

IDA.

The hour is again spoiled for us.

ADELAIDE.

Don’t mind it; we shall have all the more time to dress.

[Exeunt IDA and ADELAIDE on the left.]

Enter SENDEN, BLUMENBERG, a third gentleman.

SENDEN.

Colonel, we come on behalf of the committee for the approaching election to notify you that that committee has unanimously voted to make you, Colonel, our party’s candidate.

COLONEL. Me?

SENDEN.

The committee begs you to accept this nomination so that the necessary announcement can be made to the voters at this evening’s fete.

COLONEL.