FISCHER.

It may turn out to be an imitation of the new Arcadians, a sort of Terkaleon.

MuLLER.

Now that wouldn't be bad, for I've been wishing this long while to see some time such a wonderful opera without music.

FISCHER.

Without music it is absurd, for, my dear friend, we're beyond such childish nonsense, such superst.i.tion; enlightenment has borne its natural fruits.

MuLLER.

It may turn out to be a regular picture of domestic life, and the cat is only a joke, something like a jest, so to speak, a motive, if I may call it that.

SCHLOSS.

To tell you my honest opinion, I take the whole thing to be a trick to spread sentiment among the people, give them suggestions.

You'll see if I'm not right. A revolutionary play, as far as I can understand.

FISCHER.

I agree with you, too, for otherwise the style would be horribly offensive. For my part I must admit I never could believe in witches or spirits, not to mention _Puss in Boots_.

SCHLOSS.

The age of these phantoms is past. Why, there comes Leutner; perhaps he can tell us more.

[_Leutner pushes himself through the crowd_.]

LEUTNER.

Good evening, good evening! Well, how are you?

MuLLER.

Do tell us, will you, what sort of play we're having tonight?

[_The music begins_.]

LEUTNER.

So late already? Why, I've come in the nick of time. About the play? I have just been speaking with the author; he is at the theatre and helping dress the tom-cat.

MANY VOICES.

Is helping?--The author?--The cat? So a cat will appear, after all?

LEUTNER.

Yes, indeed, why his name is even on the bill.

FISCHER.

I say, who's playing that part?

LEUTNER.

The strange actor, of course, the great man.

MuLLER.

Indeed? But how can they possibly play such nonsense?

LEUTNER.

For a change, the author thinks.

FISCHER.

A fine change, why not Bluebeard too, and Prince Kobold? Indeed! Some excellent subjects for the drama!

MuLLER.

But how are they going to dress the cat?--And I wonder whether he wears real boots?

LEUTNER.

I am just as impatient as all of you.

FISCHER.

But shall we really have such stuff played to us? We've come here out of curiosity, to be sure, but still we have taste.

MuLLER.

I feel like making a noise.

LEUTNER.

It's rather cold, too. I'll make a start. (_He stamps with his feet, the others fall in_.)

WIESENER (_on the other side_).

What does this pounding mean?

LEUTNER.

That's to rescue good taste.