PIEPENBRINK _(interrupting him, more angrily)_. Is that any reason for insulting a peaceful guest? Is it a reason for closing my wife's mouth? It is an injustice to this man, and he shall stay here as long as I do. And he shall stay here by my side. And whoever attempts to attack him will have to deal with me!
BOLZ. Your fist, good sir! You're a faithful comrade! And so hand-in-hand with you Philip, I defy the Capulet and his entire clan!
PIEPENBRINK. Philip! Right you are, Conrad, my boy! Come here! They shall swell with anger till they burst! Here's to Philip and Conrad! _[They drink brotherhood.]_
PIEPENBRINK. So, old chum! Shall I tell you what! Since we are having so good a time I think we'll leave all these people to their own devices, and all of you come home with me. I'll brew a punch and we'll sit together as merrily as jackdaws. I'll escort you, Conrad, and the rest of you go ahead.
SENDEN _(and guests)_. But do listen, _revered_ Mr. Piepenbrink!
PIEPENBRINK. I'll listen to nothing. I'm done with you!
BELLMAUS _(hurrying through the crowd_). Here I am!
BOLZ. My nephew! Gracious Madam, I put him under your protection! Nephew, you escort Madam Piepenbrink. (MRS. PIEPENBRINK _takes a firm grip on_ BELLMAUS'S _arm and holds him securely. Polka behind the scene.)_ Farewell, gentlemen, it's beyond your power to spoil our good humor. There, the music is striking up! We march off in a jolly procession, and again I cry in conclusion, Long live Piepenbrink!
THE DEPARTING ONES. Long live Piepenbrink! _[They march off in triumph_. FRITZ KLEINMICHEL _and his fiancée,_ KÄMPE _with_ KLEINMICHEL, MRS. PIEPENBRINK _with_ BELLMAUS, _finally_ BOLZ _with_ PIEPENBRINK.]
SENDEN. An outrageous scandal! The _Union_ has kidnapped our two most important voters!
_The_ COLONEL _in front, walking rapidly up and down. In the rear_, ADELAIDE _and_ IDA _arm-in-arm, the latter in great agitation. A short pause. Then enter_ SENDEN.
SENDEN (_hastily calling through centre door_).
Of course! (_Exit_ SENDEN.) The election day is unendurable! In no fight in my life did I have this feeling of fear. It is a mean cannon-fever of which any ensign might be ashamed. And it is a long time since I was an ensign!