[_Pause;_ ADELAIDE _and_ IDA _look at each other._ IDA _sighs._]

ADELAIDE.

Perhaps he has work to do.

IDA.

Or he is vexed with us because I am going to the fete tonight.

COLONEL (_irritably_).

Nonsense, you are not his wife nor even openly his fiancee. You are in your father's house and belong in my circle.--H'm! I see he treasures it up against me that I did some plain speaking the other day. I think I was a little impatient.

ADELAIDE (_nodding her head_).

Yes, a little, I hear.

IDA.

He is worried about the way you feel, dear father.

COLONEL.

Well, I have reason enough to be vexed; don't remind me of it. And that, in addition, he lets himself be mixed up in these elections, is unpardonable.

[_Walks up and down._]

But you had better send for him, Ida.

IDA _rings. Enter_ CARL.

IDA.

Our compliments to the professor and we are waiting coffee for him.

[_Exit_ CARL.]

COLONEL.

Well, that about waiting was not quite necessary. Why, we have finished our coffee.

ADELAIDE.

Ida has not finished yet.

IDA.

Hush!

ADELAIDE.

Why did he ever let himself be put up as candidate? He has plenty to do as it is.

COLONEL.

Pure ambition, girls. The devil of ambition possesses these young men.

He impels them as steam does a locomotive.

IDA.

No, father, _he_ never thought of himself in the matter.

COLONEL.

It does not stand out quite so nakedly as, "I must make a career for myself," or "I wish to become a famous man." The procedure is more delicate. The good friends come along and say: "Your duty to the good cause requires you to--it is a crime against your country if you do not--it is a sacrifice for you but we demand it." And so a pretty mantle is thrown around vanity, and the candidate issues forth--from pure patriotism of course! Don't teach an old soldier worldly wisdom.

We, dear Adelaide, sit calmly by and laugh at such weaknesses.

ADELAIDE.

And are indulgent toward them when we have so good a heart as you.

COLONEL.

Yes, one profits by experience.

_Enter_ CARL.

CARL.

Mr. von Senden and two other gentlemen.

COLONEL.

What do they want? Pleased to see them!

[_Exit_ CARL.]

Allow me to have them shown in here, children. Senden never stays long. He is a roving spirit.

[_The ladies rise._]

IDA.

The hour is again spoiled for us.

ADELAIDE.

Don't mind it; we shall have all the more time to dress.