Alstad (to his son VILHELM). So you have the face to vote with
these--these Americans, against your old father, have you?

Vilhelm. Well, father, I honestly think--

Alstad. Just you wait till I get you home!

Vilhelm. Oh, that's it, is it? Then I shan't go home--so there! I shall
stay here and get drunk, I shall.

Alstad. Oh, come, come!

Vilhelm. Yes, I shall! I shall stay here and get drunk!

Alstad. But, Vilhelm, listen to me! (Takes him by the arm. Meantime a
STRANGER has taken KOLL and GRAN by the arm, to their manifest surprise,
and brought the forward away from the crowd. He stands for a moment,
looking them in the face, till suddenly KOLL gives a start and cries
out: "The King!")

The King. Hush!

Gran. It really is--!

The King (to GRAN). You are at home here; take up into a room--and give
us some champagne. My throat is as dry as a lime-kiln!

Curtain

SCENE II

(SCENE.--A room built in Gothic style, comfortably furnished and
decorated with trophies of the chase. GRAN ushers in the KING and KOLL.)

Gran. We can be quite alone here. (ANNA, a deaf and dumb girl of about
fifteen, brings in some bottles of champagne, and, during the following
dialogue, sets out glasses, refreshments, cigars, and pipes. She is
quick and attentive to render the slightest service required of her;
when not employed, she sits on a stool in the background. She talks to
GRAN on her fingers, and receives orders from him in the same manner.)

The King. Ah, this is like old times! I know the setting: "Gothic room
in mediaeval style, decorated with trophies of the chase. Furnished with
an eye to bachelor comfort!" You always had bachelor habits, you know,
even when you were quite a boy. (To KOLL.) We never called him anything
but "the Bachelor" on board ship. He never had a love affair in all the
three years our cruise lasted; but the rest of us had them in every port
we touched at!

Koll. He is just the same in that respect now.

Gran (offering the KING some champagne). Allow me!

The King. Thanks; I shall be glad of it. (To KOLL.) Your health, my
former tutor! (To GRAN.) And yours! (They drink.) Ah, that has done me
good!--Well now, let me ask you this: isn't it true that, all through
the meeting, you were talking nothing but republicanism, although you
didn't actually mention the word?

Koll (laughing). You are not far wrong.

The King. And you, who in the old days were considered to be too
advanced in your opi