Bolz. Pepper and
mustard--that will give offense; it will cause bad blood.
BOLZ (_still deep in his thoughts, violently_).
I always did have an antipathy to this man!
[Illustration: _Permission Union Deutsche Verlagsgesellschaft,
Stuttgart_. NATURE ENTHUSIASTS. ADOLPH VON MENZEL]
HENNING (_hurt_).
How? What? Mr. Bolz? You have an antipathy to me?
BOLZ.
To whom? No, dear Mr. Henning, you are a good fellow and would be the
best newspaper owner in the world, if only you were not often as
frightened as a hare. [_Embraces him._] My regards to Mrs. Henning,
sir, and leave me alone. I am thinking up my next article.
HENNING (_while he is being thrust out_).
But do, please, write very moderately and kindly, dear Mr. Bolz.
BOLZ (_alone, walking to and fro again_).
Senden avoids me whenever he can. He stands things from me that any
one else would strongly resent. Is it possible that he suspects--
_Enter_ MILLER.
MILLER (_hurriedly_).
A lady I don't know wishes to pay her respects to you.
BOLZ.
A lady! And to me?
MILLER.
To the editor. [_Hands him a card._]
BOLZ (_reads_).
Leontine Pavoni-Gessler, _nee_ Melloni from Paris. She must have to do
with art. Is she pretty?
MILLER.
H'm! So, so!
BOLZ.
Then tell her we are very sorry that we cannot have the pleasure, that
it is the editor's big washing-day.
MILLER.
What?
BOLZ (_vehemently_).
Washing, children's washing. That we are sitting up to the elbows in
soapsuds.
Pages:
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56