His Friends follow directly behind Man. They resemble one another very much--noble faces, high and candid foreheads, honest eyes. They walk proudly, throwing out their chests, stepping firmly and confidently, and looking, now to this side, now to that, with condescension and slight disdain. They wear white roses in their buttonholes.
Following them at a slight distance come Man's Enemies, also very much resembling one another--mean, cunning faces; low, heavy foreheads; long, ape-like arms. They walk uneasily, pushing, bending, and hiding behind one another, and casting sharp, mean, envious, sidelong glances from beneath lowered lids. Yellow roses appear in their buttonholes. Thus they pass through the room, slowly and in perfect silence. The sounds of the steps, the music, and the exclamations of the Guests produce a sharply discordant noise._
--There they are. There they are. What an honor!
--They shine with the reflected splendor of his fame.
--What an honor to be one of Man's Friends!
--They regard everything here as their own!
_[They shout at Man's Enemies, mingling their shouts with laughter. The Enemies huddle closer together and cast sharp, timid, sideward glances._
--They're gone! They're gone! They're gone!
_[The procession disappears through the door on the left. A pause of silence. The music plays less loudly, and the dancers begin gradually to fill the hall._
--I believe they went to the dining-room, where supper is being served.
--I suppose they'll soon invite us in. Do you see anybody looking for us?
--Yes, it's time for supper. If you eat too late, you can't sleep well.
--A late supper lies heavy on your stomach.
--Do you know for how many guests they have prepared the supper?
--I didn't get a chance to count all the covers. The caterer came in, and I had to get out.
--Man is so proud, and we are so unimportant.
--Don't say that. My husband says we do him an honor by accepting his invitation. We are rich, too.
--When you consider the reputation of his wife--
--Do you see anyone looking for us? Maybe he's looking for us in the other rooms.
--If you are not careful with other people's money, it's easy to get rich, I think.
--Oh, now, it's only his enemies who say that.