t I have always said is that, if the King had an opportunity of
understanding the situation, he would interfere.

Flink. The King? He doesn't care a brass farthing about the whole
matter! He has something else to do! Ha, ha!

The King. Ha, ha, ha!

Koll. The King is an unusually gifted man; he would not remain
indifferent in the long run.

Flink. He has so many unusual gifts that have gone to the devil--!

The King. Tralalla! Tralalalalala! Tralala! It feels quite odd to be
with you fellows again! (Drinks.)

Flink (in an undertone, to GRAN). Is he drunk?

The King (sitting down). Give me a cigar--! And let us discuss the
matter a little more seriously. (KOLL and GRAN sit down.)

Gran. As a matter of fact, it is not a thing that can be discussed.
It must be tried. If, one day, the King were to say: "I mean to live
a natural life among my people, and to withdraw my name from the
old-established royal firm, which has lost all its reputation for
honesty"--that day everything else would follow of itself.

Flink. Yes, that day, I dare say!

Gran. Remember you are the guest of a man who is a friend of the King's!

The King. Don't play the domestic despot--you who are a republican! Let
us have free discussion!

Flink. I certainly don't intend to insult the King. He has never done me
any harm. But surely you will allow me to doubt whether he is really the
shining light you make him out to be?

The King. That is true enough!

Flink (eagerly). You agree with me as to that, then?

The King. Absolutely! But--leaving him out of the question--suppose we
_had_ a king who made himself independent of others, and, as a necessary
consequence, rose superior to questions of party--?

Flink (interrupting him). It is a vain supposition, my dear fellow! A
king bound to no party? (Puffs at his pipe.) It wouldn't work!
(Puffs again.) It wouldn't work!--It wouldn't work!--Falsehood is the
foundation of constitutional monarchy. A king superior to questions of
party? Rubbish!

Gran. It would be expecting something superhuman of him, too.

Flink. Of course it would!

The King. But the president of a republic is even less independent of
party, isn't he?

Flink (turning to hint). He doesn't make any pretence that he isn't.
Haha! That's the difference! (Comes forward, repeating to himself.) It
is the falsehood that makes the difference.

Koll. Oh, there are falsehoods enough in republics too, unfortunately!

Flink. I know; bu