The German Classics of the Nineteenth and Twentieth Centuries Volume Xii Part 8

And about the pond. Three hundred and sixty carp!

ADELAIDE.

And sixty gold-tench; don't forget that. And the old carp with the copper ring about his body, that he put there, came out with the last haul, and we threw him back again.

KORB.

And how he will ask about you, Miss Adelaide!

ADELAIDE.

Tell him I am well.

KORB.

And how you have carried on the farming since the general died; and that you take his newspaper which I read aloud to the farm-hands afterward.

ADELAIDE.

Just that you need not tell him. [_Sighing, aside._] On these lines I shall learn nothing whatever. [_Pause, gravely._] See here, dear Korb, I have heard all sorts of things about Mr. Bolz that surprise me. He is said to live an irregular life.

KORB.

Yes, I imagine he does; he always was a wild colt.

ADELAIDE.

He is said to spend more than his income.

KORB.

Yes, that is quite possible. But I am perfectly sure he spends it merrily.

ADELAIDE (_aside_).

Small consolation I shall get from him! (_Indifferently._) He has now a good position, I suppose; won't he soon be looking for a wife?

KORB.

A wife? No, he is not doing that. It is impossible.

ADELAIDE.

Well, I heard something of the kind; at least he is said to be much interested in a young lady. People are talking of it.

KORB.

Why, that would be--no, I don't believe it. (_Hastily._) But I'll ask him about it at once.

ADELAIDE.

Well, he would be the last person to tell you. One learns such things from a man's friends and acquaintances. The village people ought to know it, I suppose, if a Rosenau man marries.

KORB.

Of course they should. I must get at the truth of that.

ADELAIDE.

You would have to go about it the right way. You know how crafty he is.

KORB.

Oh, I'll get round him all right. I'll find some way.

ADELAIDE.

Go, dear Korb! [_Exit_ KORB.] Those were sad tidings with which the Colonel met me. Conrad--immoral, unworthy? It is impossible! A n.o.ble character cannot change to that extent. I do not believe one word of what they say!

[_EXIT_.]

SCENE II

_Editorial room of the "Union." Doors in the centre and on both sides.

On the left, in the foreground, a desk with newspapers and doc.u.ments.

On the right, a similar, smaller table. Chairs._

_Enter_ BOLZ, _through the side door on the right, then_ MILLER _through the centre door._

BOLZ (_eagerly_).

Miller! Factotum! Where is the mail?

MILLER (_nimbly with a package of letters and newspapers_).

Here is the mail, Mr. Bolz; and here, from the press, is the proof-sheet of this evening's issue to be corrected.

BOLZ (_at the table on the left quickly opening, looking through, and marking letters with a pencil_).

I have already corrected the proof, old rascal!

MILLER.

Not quite. Down here is still the "Miscellaneous" which Mr. Bellmaus gave the type-setters.

BOLZ.