)
Bernick (stopping at the door): What does this mean?
Rummel: Oh dear, is it you? (To the servants.) Yes, you might
leave us for the present. (The servants go out.)
Bernick: But, Rummel, what is the meaning of this?
Rummel: It means that the proudest moment of your life has come.
A procession of his fellow citizens is coming to do honour to the
first man of the town.
Bernick: What!
Rummel: In procession--with banners and a band! We ought to have
had torches too; but we did not like to risk that in this stormy
weather. There will be illuminations--and that always sounds well
in the newspapers.
Bernick: Listen, Rummel--I won't have anything to do with this.
Rummel: But it is too late now; they will be here in half-an-
hour.
Bernick: But why did you not tell me about this before?
Rummel: Just because I was afraid you would raise objections to
it. But I consulted your wife; she allowed me to take charge of
the arrangements, while she looks after the refreshments.
Bernick (listening): What is that noise? Are they coming already?
I fancy I hear singing.
Rummel (going to the verandah door): Singing? Oh, that is only
the Americans.
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