COLONEL (going toward him).

Doctor Bolz, you use the privilege of your profession to speak recklessly, and are insulting outsiders in a way that exhausts my patience.  You are in my house, and it is a customary social amenity to respect the domicile of one’s opponent.

BOLZ (leaning on a chair, good-naturedly).

If you mean by that that you have a right to expel from your house unwelcome guests you did not need to remind me of it, for this very day you shut your doors on another whose love for you gave him a better right to be here than I have.

COLONEL.

Sir, such brazen-facedness I have never yet experienced.

BOLZ (with a bow).

I am a journalist, and claim what you have just called the privilege of my profession.

[Grand march by brass band.  Enter CARL quickly.]

COLONEL (going toward him).

Shut the garden gate; no one is to come in. [The music stops.]

BOLZ (at the window).

You are locking your friends out; this time I am innocent.

CARL.

Ah, Colonel, it is too late.  The singers are back there in the garden, and in front a great procession is approaching the house; it is Mr. von Senden and the entire club.

[Goes to rear of stage.]

COLONEL (to BOLZ).

Sir, I wish the conversation between us to end.

BOLZ (speaking back at him from the window).

In your position, Colonel, I find the desire very natural. [Looking out again.] A brilliant procession!  They all carry paper lanterns, and on the lanterns are inscriptions!  Besides the ordinary club mottoes, I see others.  Why isn’t Bellmaus ever looking when he might be helping the newspaper! [Taking out a note book.] We’ll quickly note those inscriptions for our columns. [Over his shoulder.] Pardon me!  Oh, that is truly remarkable:  “Down with our enemies!” And here a blackish lantern with white letters—­“Death to the Union!” Holy thunder! [Calls out of the window.] Good evening, gentlemen!

COLONEL (going up to him).

Sir, you’re in league with the devil!

BOLZ (turning quickly around).

Very kind of you, Colonel, to show yourself at the window with me.

[COLONEL retreats.]

SENDEN (from below).

Whose voice is that!

BOLZ.

Good evening, Mr. von Senden!—­The gentleman with the dark lantern and white inscription would oblige us greatly by kindly lifting it up to the Colonel.  Blow your light out, man, and hand me the lantern.  So, thank you—­man with the witty motto! [Pulling in the stick and lantern.] Here, Colonel, is the document of the brotherly love your friends cherish toward us. [Tears the lantern from the stick.] The lantern for you, the stick for the lantern-bearer! [Throws the stick out of the window.] I have the honor to bid you good day!