s detained in a group consisting of SCHROCK, RAABE JR., and
others. He has seen GLYSZINSKI kiss ANTOINETTE'S hand). Boys, let me
go!

SCHROCK, RAABE, and OTHERS. Stay right here, old boy.

LASKOWSKI. Let me go, I say ... I want to get to my dearie! (He tries
to disengage himself.)

SCHROCK (very unsteady on his feet). Dear old chap! I'll ... not ...
let you!... Let's have another drink first!

LASKOWSKI. I want to get to my dearie! (They restrain him.)

GLYSZINSKI (follows ANTOINETTE with his eyes. She has retreated behind
the oleanders in the foreground on the left). Ravishing creature! I
must follow her! (About to follow her.)

PAUL. That you will not do! (Intercepts him.)

GLYSZINSKI. Let me pass!

PAUL. That way, please! (He points to the left.)

GLYSZINSKI (with clenched fists). Brutal fellow! (He struts toward the
left and runs into LASKOWSKI, who is still standing in the group with
SCHROCK and the rest, and who immediately fraternizes with him.)

PAUL (looking at him as he goes). A rare team!

LASKOWSKI (approaches GLYSZINSKI, trying to embrace him). Old chap!...
Are you a Pole?

GLYSZINSKI. A Pole! Yes, indeed! von Glyszinski!

LASKOWSKI. Your name is Glyszinski! Mine is Laskowski! Come to my
heart, fellow countryman!

RAABE. Boys, such a thing as that calls for a drink. (He goes over
toward the left.)

LASKOWSKI. Drink, fellow countryman! Drink and kiss my wife. Do you
want to kiss my wife?

GLYSZINSKI (pompously). Sir!

LASKOWSKI. _You_ may. Nobody else. A Pole may. Ain't she beautiful,
that dearie of mine?

GLYSZINSKI. Beautiful as the starry sky!

LASKOWSKI (embracing his neck). Brother! Come along!

SCHROCK (stands near them, swaying). Your health, you ... jolly ...
brothers!

LASKOWSKI. Brotherhood? Yes, we'll drink to our brotherhood, my fellow
countryman.

RAABE (comes in from the left). There's lots of good stuff in there.
Come, be quick about it. Too bad to waste your time here!

LASKOWSKI (leading GLYSZINSKI, who resists a trifle, out at the left,
singing as he goes). Poland is not lost forever!

[RAABE and SCHROCK follow arm in arm. The rest have gradually
withdrawn toward the left in the course of the preceding scene.
LENE and FRITZ clear the table and carry out the dishes. AUNT
CLARA directs the work and assists now and then. PAUL stands near
the table in the foreground, lost in thought.]

AUNT CLARA. Won't you go and have some coffee,