COLONEL.

How so, sir?  In the article itself I saw nothing unsuitable.

BOLZ.

The article exposes my friend in your eyes to the suspicion of having tried to regain your good-will by unworthy flattery.  Nothing is further from his thoughts than such a method.  You, Colonel, are too honorable a man yourself to consider a mean action natural to your friend.

COLONEL.

You are right. (Aside.) This defiance is unbearable! (Aloud.) Is your explanation at an end?

BOLZ.

It is.  I must add still another:  that I myself regret very much having written this article.

COLONEL.

I imagine I do not wrong you in assuming that you have already written others that were still more to be regretted.

BOLZ (continuing).

I had the article printed before hearing of your last interview with Oldendorf. (Very courteously.) My reason for regretting it is, that it is not quite true.  I was too hasty in describing your personality to the public.  Today, at least, it is no longer a true portrait; it is flattering.

COLONEL (bursting out).

Well, by the devil, that is rude!

BOLZ.

Your pardon—­it is only true.  I wish to convince you that a journalist can regret having written falsehoods.

COLONEL.

Sir! (Aside.) I must restrain myself, or he will always get the better of me.—­Dr. Bolz, I see that you are a clever man and know your trade.  Since, in addition, you seem inclined today to speak only the truth, I must beg you to tell me further if you, too, organized the demonstrations which purport to represent to me public sentiment.

BOLZ (bowing).

I have, as a matter of fact, not been inactive in the matter.

COLONEL (holding out the letter to him, angrily).

Did you prompt these, too?

BOLZ.

In part, Colonel.  This poem is the heart-outpouring of an honest youth who reveres in you the paternal friend of Oldendorf and the ideal of a chivalrous hero.  I inspired him with the courage to send you the poem.  It was well-meant, at any rate.  The poet will have to seek another ideal.  The address comes from women and girls who constitute the Association for the Education of Orphans.  The Association includes among its members Miss Ida Berg.  I myself composed this address for the ladies; it was written down by the daughter of the wine-merchant Piepenbrink.

COLONEL.

That was just about my opinion concerning these letters.  It is needless to ask if you too are the contriver who sent me the citizens?

BOLZ.

At all events I did not discourage them. [From without a male chorus of many voices.]

  Hail!  Hail!  Hail! 
  Within the precincts of our town,
  Blessed by each burgher’s son,
  There dwells a knight of high renown,
  A noble, faithful one.