_]
_It grows dark. The_ COLONEL _enters from the garden._
COLONEL (_slowly coming forward_).
I am glad that all is over between us. [_Stamping his foot._] I am
very glad! [_In a depressed tone._] I feel free and more relieved than
for a long time. I think I could actually sing! At this moment I am
the subject of conversation over all tea-cups, on all beer-benches.
Everywhere arguing and laughter: It serves him right, the old fool!
Damn! [_Enter_ CARL, _with lights and the newspaper_.] Who told you to
bring the lamp?
CARL.
Colonel, it is your hour for reading the newspaper. Here it is. [_Lays
it on the table_.]
COLONEL.
A low rabble, these gentlemen of the pen! Cowardly, malicious,
insidious in their anonymity. How this band will triumph now, and over
me! How they will laud their editor to the skies! There lies the
contemptible sheet! In it stands my defeat, trumpeted forth with full
cheeks, with scornful shrugs of the shoulders--away with it! [_Walks
up and down, looks at the newspaper on the ground, picking it up_.]
All the same I will drink out the dregs! [_Seats himself.]_ Here,
right in the beginning! [_Reading_.] "Professor Oldendorf--majority of
two votes. This journal is bound to rejoice over the result."--I don't
doubt it!--"But no less a matter for rejoicing was the electoral
contest which preceded it."--Naturally--"It has probably never before
been the case that, as here, two men stood against each other who were
so closely united by years of friendship, both so distinguished by the
good will of their fellow-citizens.
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