I went where you did. Why should I not stand here? I know the Colonel as well as you do.

BLUMENBERG.

Don't be forward and don't be impudent. Go and wait at the gate, and when I bring you the article, quickly run with it to the press--understand?

SCHMOCK.

How can I help understanding when you croak like a raven?

[_EXIT_.]

[Ill.u.s.tration: _Permission F Bruckmann, A -G, Munich_ AT THE CONCERT ADOLPH VON MENZEL.]

BLUMENBERG (_to_ SENDEN).

He is a vulgar person, but he is useful! Now that we are alone, listen! The other day when you brought me to call here, I begged the Colonel just to write down his ideas on the questions of the day.

SENDEN.

Yes, alas! You piled on the flattery much too thick, but the old gentleman did, nevertheless, at last take fire.

BLUMENBERG.

We begged him to read to us what he had written; he read it to us, we praised it.

SENDEN.

It was very tiresome all the same.

BLUMENBERG.

I begged it of him for our paper.

SENDEN.

Yes, unfortunately! And now I must carry these bulky things to your press. These articles are too heavy; they won't do the _Coriola.n.u.s_ any good.

BLUMENBERG.

Yet I printed them gladly. When a man has written for a paper he becomes a good friend of that paper. The Colonel at once subscribed for the _Coriola.n.u.s_, and, the next day, invited me to dinner.

SENDEN (_shrugging his shoulders_).

If that is all you gain by it!

BLUMENBERG.

It is merely the beginning.--The articles are clumsy; why should I not say so?

SENDEN.

G.o.d knows they are!

BLUMENBERG.

And no one knows who the author is.

SENDEN.

That was the old gentleman's stipulation. I imagine he is afraid of Oldendorf.

BLUMENBERG.

And precisely what I antic.i.p.ated has come to pa.s.s. Oldendorf's paper has today attacked these articles. Here is the latest issue of the _Union_.

SENDEN.

Let me look at it. Well, that will be a fine mix-up! Is the attack insulting?

BLUMENBERG.

The Colonel will be sure to consider it so. Don't you think that that will help us against the professor?

SENDEN.

Upon my honor you are the slyest devil that ever crept out of an inkstand!

BLUMENBERG.

Give it to me, the Colonel is coming. _Enter the_ COLONEL.

COLONEL.

Good morning, gentlemen!--[_aside_] and that Oldendorf should just happen to be here! If only he will remain in the garden! Well, Mr.

Editor, how is the _Coriola.n.u.s_?

BLUMENBERG.

Our readers admire the new articles marked with an arrow. Is there any chance that some more--

COLONEL (_drawing a ma.n.u.script from his pocket and looking round_).

I rely on your discretion. As a matter of fact I wanted to read it through again on account of the structure of the sentences.

BLUMENBERG.

That can best be done in the proof-reading.