PLAYWR.

Now I withdraw, not to interrupt the course of the play any
longer.

[_Exit._]

JACKPUD.

Adieu, until we meet again. (_Exit, returns again quickly._)
_Apropos_--another thing--the discussion which has just taken place
among us is not part of the play either.

[_Exit._]

THE PIT (_laughs_).

JACKPUDDING (_returns again quickly_).

Let us finish the wretched play
today; make believe you do not notice at all how bad it is; as soon as
I get home I'll sit down and write one for you that you will certainly
like.

[_Exit, some applause._]

(_Enter_ GOTTLIEB _and_ HINZE)

GOTTLIEB.

Dear Hinze, it is true you are doing much for me, but I
still cannot understand what good it is going to do me.

HINZE.

Upon my word, I want to make you happy.

GOTTLIEB.

Happiness must come soon, very soon, otherwise it will be
too late; it is already half past seven and the comedy ends at eight.

HINZE.

Say, what the devil does that mean?

GOTTLIEB.

Oh, I was lost in thought--See! I meant to say, how
beautifully the sun has risen. The accursed prompter speaks so
indistinctly; and then if you want to extemporize once in a while, it
always goes wrong.

HINZE (_quietly_).

Do bethink yourself, otherwise the whole play will
break in a thousand pieces.

SCHLOSS.

I wish somebody would tell me why I can no longer understand
anything.

FISCHER.

My intelligence is at a standstill too.

GOTTLIEB.

So my fortune is yet to be determined today?

HINZE.

Yes, dear Gottlieb, even before the sun sets. See, I love you
so much that I would run through fire for you--and you doubt my
sincerity?

WIESENER.

Did you hear that? He is going to run through fire. Ah,
fine, here we get the scene from the _Magic Flute_ too, with the fire
and the water!

NEIGHBOR.

But cats do not go into the water.

WIESENER.

Why so much the greater is the cat's love for his master,
you see; that's just what the author wants to make us understand.

HINZE.

Now what would you like to become in the world, anyhow?

GOTTLIEB.

Oh, I don't know, myself.

HINZE.

Perhaps you'd like to become a prince, or a king?

GOTTLIEB.

That, better than anything.

HINZE.

And do you also feel the strength within you to make a nation
happy?

GOTTLIEB.

Why not? If only I am once happy myself.