Are the clay cannons
loaded?

EVERSMANN.

Aye--and some are fuming already outside there.

KING.

Is the beer right fresh? And a little bitter, eh?

EVERSMANN.

It might be better.

KING.

Those Bernau brewers had best have a care--I may pay an unexpected visit
to their brewery. How about the white smock I ordered?

EVERSMANN.

Ready, at hand.

KING.

When the meeting is over--you know what I have planned

EVERSMANN.

Everything is ready for Your Majesty.

KING.

You may go now. The door is to be opened at the stroke of ten.

EVERSMANN.

Yes, Your Majesty. [_He goes out_.]

[_The_ KING _walks to the window, remaining there for a few moments.
There is a pause_.]

KING.

Light in my wife's apartments again! Three rooms illuminated where one
would have been enough--and tallow so expensive now. A dozen women have
been invited there tonight, and a great conspiracy is going forward,
with the Prince of Wales received incognito--all to defy me. But wait a
bit--I'll be with you. This day has begun weightily and shall end
weightily.

SCENE VI

_A small clock strikes ten. The door to the right is thrown open and the
members of the Tobacco-Conference come in, led by_ GRUMBKOW _and_
SECKENDORF. _There are about ten of them besides the principal actors.
They come in solemnly, wearing their hats, carrying pipes in their
mouths. Passing the_ KING _they touch their hats and remove their pipes
for a moment._ HOTHAM _and the_ PRINCE of BAIREUTH _come last of all.
The_ KING _stands to the left and lets the procession move past him
toward the right of the room._

GRUMBKOW (_with the prescribed greeting_).

Good evening, Your Majesty.

KING.

Good evening, Grumbkow.

SECKENDORF.

Good evening, Your Majesty.

KING.

Good evening, Seckendorf.

COUNT SCHWERIN.

Good evening, Your Majesty.

KING.

Good evening, Schwerin. Does it taste good?

SCHWERIN.

Fine! Thanks, Your Majesty.

COUNT WARTENSLEBEN.

Good evening, Your Majesty.

KING.

Good evening, Wartensleben. Pipe draw well?

WARTENSLEBEN.

Yes. Thanks, Your Majesty. [_He moves past the_ KING _. The others pass
one after the other, or sometimes several at once, with similar
greetings_.]

KING.

Take your seats, gentlemen--no formalities--free choice--the smoke of
war levels all rank.

GRUMBKOW.

But the subject, Your Majesty, the subject promised for this evening?

KING.

Ha, ha! The target? There it comes.