BOLZ.
Indeed? Yes, to be sure, I know her. We are from the same village--she
from the manor-house, I from the parsonage. My father taught us
together. Oh, yes, I know her!
OLDENDORF.
How comes it that you have drifted so far apart? You never speak of
her.
BOLZ.
H'm! It is an old story--family quarrels, Montagues and Capulets. I
have not seen her for a long time.
OLDENDORF (_smiling_).
I hope that you too were not estranged by politics.
BOLZ.
Politics did, indeed, have something to do with our separation; you
see it is the common misfortune that party life destroys friendship.
OLDENDORF.
Sad to relate! In religion any educated man will tolerate the
convictions of another; but in politics we treat each other like
reprobates if there be the slightest shade of difference of opinion
between us.
BOLZ (_aside_).
Matter for our next article! (_Aloud._) "The slightest shade of
difference of opinion between us." Just what I think! We must have
that in our paper! (_Entreating)_. Look! A nice little virtuous
article: "An admonition to our voters--Respect our opponents, for they
are, after all, our brothers!" (_Urging him more and more._)
Oldendorf, that would be something for you--there is virtue and
humanity in the theme; writing will divert you, and you owe the paper
an article because you forbade the feud. Please do me the favor! Go
into the back room there and write. No one shall disturb you.
OLDENDORF (_smiling_).
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