BOLZ (rising with dignity).  Sir, I am a stranger to you and have never insulted you.  You look honorable and I find you in the society of charming ladies.  For that reason I cannot imagine that you came here to mock at strangers.  As man to man, therefore, I request you to explain why you find my harmless words so astonishing.  If you don’t like Mr. Piepenbrink why do you visit it on us?

PIEPENBRINK (rising).  Don’t get too excited, Sir.  Now, see here!  The wine you are now drinking is also from Piepenbrink’s cellar, and I myself am the Philip Piepenbrink for whose sake you are pitching into me.  Now, do you see why I laugh?

BOLZ.  Ah, is that the way things stand?  You yourself are Mr. Piepenbrink?  Then I am really glad to make your acquaintance.  No offense, honored Sir!

PIEPENBRINK.  No, no offense.  Everything is all right.

BOLZ.  Since you were so kind as to tell us your name, the next thing in order is for you to learn ours.  I’m Bolz, Doctor of Philosophy, and my friend here is Mr. Kaempe.

PIEPENBRINK.  Pleased to meet you.

BOLZ.  We are comparative strangers in this company and had withdrawn to this side room as one feels slightly embarrassed among so many new faces.  But we should be very sorry if by our presence we in any way disturbed the enjoyment of the ladies and the conversation of so estimable a company.  Tell us frankly if we are in the way, and we will find another place.

PIEPENBRINK.  You seem to me a jolly fellow and are not in the least in my way, Doctor Bolz—­that was the name, was it not?

MRS. PIEPENBRINK.  We, too, are strangers here and had only just sat down.  Piepenbrink!

[Nudges him slightly.]

PIEPENBRINK.  I tell you what, Doctor, as you are already acquainted with the yellow-seal from my cellar and have passed a very sensible verdict upon it, how would it be for you to give it another trial here?  Sit down with us if you have nothing better to do, and we will have a good talk together.

BOLZ (with dignity, as throughout this whole scene, during which both he and KAeMPE must not seem to be in any way pushing).  That is a very kind invitation, and we accept it with pleasure.  Be good enough, dear Sir, to present us to your company.

PIEPENBRINK.  This here is my wife.

BOLZ.  Do not be vexed at our breaking in upon you, Madam.  We promise to behave ourselves and to be as good company as lies in the power of two shy bachelors.

PIEPENBRINK.  Here is my daughter.

BOLZ (to MRS. PIEPENBRINK).  One could have known that from the likeness.

PIEPENBRINK.  This is my friend, Mr. Kleinmichel, and this, Fritz Kleinmichel, my daughter’s fiance.

BOLZ.  I congratulate you, gentlemen, on such delightful society. (To PIEPENBRINK.) Permit me to sit next to the lady of the house.  Kaempe, I thought you would sit next to Mr. Kleinmichel.