That's true, my son! But what does the fete mean to you? Heat,
dust, and stale dance-music. Besides, we will tell you all about it in
the morning; and then you are a poet, and can imagine the whole affair
to be much finer than it really was. So don't take it to heart. You
may think you have a thankless role, but it is the most important of
all, for it requires coolness and cleverness. Go, mousey, and look out
about getting overheated.
BELLMAUS. I'll look out, old tom-cat.--Come along Schmock!
[BELLMAUS _and_ SCHMOCK _leave_.]
BOLZ. We might as well separate, too.
KAeMPE. I'll go and see how people feel. If I need you I'll look you
up.
BOLZ. I had better not show myself much. I'll stay around here.
[_Exit_ KAeMPE.]
Alone at last!
[_Goes to centre door_.]
There stands the Colonel, closely surrounded. It is she! She is here,
and I have to lie in hiding like a fox under the leaves.--But she has
falcon eyes,--perhaps--the throng disperses--she is walking through
the hall arm-in-arm with Ida--(_Excitedly_.) They are drawing nearer!
(_Irritably_.) Oh, bother! There is Korb rushing toward me! And just
now!
_Enter_ KORB.
KORB. Mr. Conrad! I can't believe my eyes! You here, at this fete!
BOLZ (_hastily_). Hush, old chap! I'm not here without a reason. I can
trust you--you're one of us, you know.
KORB. Body and soul. Through all the talking and fiddling I've kept
saying to myself, "Long live the _Union!"_ Here she is!
[_Shows him a paper in his pocket_.
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