There is something up, here, too.  I dread to open them. [Breaks open the first one.] What the devil!  A poem?—­and to me?  “To our noble opponent, the best man in town.”—­Signed?  What is the signature?  “B—­aus!” B—­aus?  I don’t know it, it must be a pseudonym! [Reads.] It seems to be exceedingly good poetry!—­And what have we here? [Opens the second letter.] “To the benefactor of the poor, the father of orphans.”  An address!—­[Reads.] “Veneration and kindliness.”—­Signature:  “Many women and girls.”  The seal a P.P.—­Good God, what does it all mean?  Have I gone mad?  If these are really voices from the town, and if that is the way people look on this day, then I must confess men think better of me than I do of myself!

Enter CARL.

CARL.

A number of gentlemen wish to speak to you, Colonel.

COLONEL.

What sort of gentlemen!

CARL.

They say:  A deputation from the voters.

COLONEL.

Show them in.  This confounded newspaper was right, after all.

Enter PIEPENBRINK, KLEINMICHEL and three other gentlemen.  They bow, the COLONEL likewise.

PIEPENBRINK (solemnly).

My Colonel:  A number of voters have sent us as a deputation to you to inform you on this special day that the whole town considers you a most respectable and worthy man.

COLONEL (stiffly).

I am obliged for the good opinion.

PIEPENBRINK.

You have no reason to feel obliged.  It is the truth.  You are a man of honor through and through, and it gives us pleasure to tell you so; you cannot object to hearing this from your fellow-citizens.

COLONEL.

I always did consider myself a man of honor, gentlemen.

PIEPENBRINK.

There you were quite right.  And you have proved your good principles, too.  On every occasion.  In cases of poverty, of famine, of caring for orphans, also at our shooting-club meeting—­always when we citizens enjoyed or needed a benevolent good man, you were among the first.  Always simple and loyal without arrogance or supercilious manners.  That’s the reason why we universally love and honor you. (Colonel wipes his eyes.) Today many of us gave their votes to the professor.  Some on account of politics, some because they know that he is your close friend and possibly even your future son-in-law.  COLONEL (not harshly).

Sir—­

PIEPENBRINK.

Nor did I myself vote for you.

COLONEL (somewhat more excitedly).

Sir—­

PIEPENBRINK.

But for that very reason I come to you with the rest, and that is why we tell you what the citizens think of you.  And we hope that for long years to come you will preserve to us your manly principles and friendly heart as an honored, most respected gentleman and fellow-citizen.