As appetising feuilleton, in scraps.

STRAWMAN [in terror].
Merciful heaven! My "life's romance!" What, what!
When was my life romantic, if you please?

MISS JAY.
I never said so.

STIVER.
Witness disagrees.

STRAWMAN.
That I have ever swerved a single jot
From social prescript,--is a monstrous lie.

FALK.
Good.
[Clapping STIVER on the shoulder.
Here's a friend who will not put me by.
We'll start with Stiver's lyric ecstasies.

STIVER [after a glance of horror at STRAWMAN].
Are you quite mad! Nay then I must be heard!
You dare accuse me for a poet--

MISS JAY.
How--!

FALK.
Your office has averred it anyhow.

STIVER [in towering anger].
Sir, by our office nothing is averred.

FALK.
Well, leave me then, you also: I have by me
One comrade yet whose loyalty will last.
"A true heart's story" Lind will not deny me,
Whose troth's too tender for the ocean blast,
Who for his mistress makes surrender of
His fellow-men--pure quintessence of Love!

MRS. HALM.
My patience, Mr. Falk, is now worn out.
The same abode no longer can receive us:--
I beg of you this very day to leave us--

FALK [with a bow as MRS. HALM and the company withdraw].
That this would come I never had a doubt!

STRAWMAN.
Between us two there's a battle to the death;
You've slandered me, my wife, my little flock,
From Molly down to Millie, in one breath.
Crow on, crow on--Emancipation's cock,--
[Goes in followed by his wife and children.

FALK.
And go you on observing Peter's faith
To Love your lord--who, thanks to your advice,
Was thrice denied before the cock crew thrice!

MISS JAY [turning faint].
Attend me, Stiver! help me get unlaced
My corset--this way, this way--do make haste!

STIVER [to FALK as he withdraws with MISS JAY on his arm].
I here renounce your friendship.

LIND.
I likewise.

FALK [seriously].
You too, my Lind?

LIND.
Farewell.

FALK.
You were my nearest one--

LIND.
No help, it is the pleasure of my dearest one.

[He goes in: SVANHILD has remained standing on the
verandah steps.

FALK.
So, now I've made a clearance, have free course
In all directions!

SVANHILD.
Falk, one word with you!

FALK [pointing politely to the house].
That way, Miss Halm;--that way, with all the force
Of aunts and inmates, Mrs. Hal