Quite the contrary. We are most pleased to greet you here.
[_Guests leave through centre door_; SENDEN _goes out in conversation
with them._]
BLUMENBERG. He knows how to manage people. It's the good manners of
these gentlemen that does it. He is useful--useful to me too. He
manages the others, and I manage him. [_Turning, he sees_ SCHMOCK,
_who is hovering near the door_.] What are you doing here? Why do you
stand there listening? You are not a door-keeper! See that you keep
out of my vicinity. Divide yourself up among the company.
SCHMOCK. Whom shall I go to if I know none of these people at all? You
are the only person I know.
BLUMENBERG. Why must you tell people that you know me? I consider it
no honor to stand next to you.
SCHMOCK. If it is not an honor it's not a disgrace either; But I can
stay by myself.
BLUMENBERG. Have you money to get something to eat? Go to the
restaurant-keeper and order something charged to me. The committee
will pay for it.
SCHMOCK. I don't care to go and eat. I have no need to spend anything.
I have had my supper.
[_Blare of trumpets and march in the distance. Exit_ BLUMENBERG.
SCHMOCK _alone, coming forward, angrily_.]
I hate him! I'll tell him I hate him, that I despise him from the
bottom of my heart!
[_Turns to go, comes back._]
But I cannot tell him so, or he will cut out all I send in for the
special correspondence I write for his paper! I will try to swallow it
down!
_[Exit through centre door_.
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