GUEST. Yes, Mr. von Senden, this is my wife.

SENDEN.  You here, too, Mr. Henning?  Welcome, my dear sir!

HENNING.  I was invited by my friend and really had the curiosity to come.  My presence, I hope, will not be unpleasant to any one?

SENDEN.  Quite the contrary.  We are most pleased to greet you here.

[Guests leave through centre door; SENDEN goes out in conversation with them.]

BLUMENBERG.  He knows how to manage people.  It’s the good manners of these gentlemen that does it.  He is useful—­useful to me too.  He manages the others, and I manage him. [Turning, he sees SCHMOCK, who is hovering near the door.] What are you doing here?  Why do you stand there listening?  You are not a door-keeper!  See that you keep out of my vicinity.  Divide yourself up among the company.

SCHMOCK.  Whom shall I go to if I know none of these people at all?  You are the only person I know.

BLUMENBERG.  Why must you tell people that you know me?  I consider it no honor to stand next to you.

SCHMOCK.  If it is not an honor it’s not a disgrace either; But I can stay by myself.

BLUMENBERG.  Have you money to get something to eat?  Go to the restaurant-keeper and order something charged to me.  The committee will pay for it.

SCHMOCK.  I don’t care to go and eat.  I have no need to spend anything.  I have had my supper.

[Blare of trumpets and march in the distance.  Exit BLUMENBERG.  SCHMOCK alone, coming forward, angrily.]

I hate him!  I’ll tell him I hate him, that I despise him from the bottom of my heart!

[Turns to go, comes back.]

But I cannot tell him so, or he will cut out all I send in for the special correspondence I write for his paper!  I will try to swallow it down!

[Exit through centre door.]

Enter BOLZ, KAeMPE, BELLMAUS by side door.

BOLZ (marching in).  Behold us in the house of the Capulets! [Pretends to thrust a sword into its scabbard.] Conceal your swords under roses.  Blow your little cheeks up, and look as silly and innocent as possible.  Above all, don’t let me see you get into a row, and if you meet this Tybaldus Senden be so good as to run round the corner.

[The procession is seen marching through the rear halls.]

You, Romeo Bellmaus, look out for the little women.  I see more fluttering curls and waving kerchiefs there than are good for your peace of mind.

KAeMPE.  I bet a bottle of champagne that if one of us gets into a row it will be you.

BOLZ.  Possibly.  But I promise you that you shall surely come in for your share of it.  Now listen to my plan of operations.  You Kaempe—­[Enter SCHMOCK.] Stop!  Who is that?  Thunder!  The factotum of the Coriolanus!  Our incognito has not lasted long.