ADELAIDE (_holding him back_). Please, let him finish, the story is
true!

BOLZ. Then a man's hand seizes my neck. A rope is wound round me under
the arms, and a strong wrist raises me from the ground. A moment later
I was on the ladder, half dragged, half carried; with shirt aflame,
and unconscious, I reached the pavement.--I awoke in the room of the
young scholar. Save for a few slight burns, I had brought nothing with
me over into the new apartment; all my belongings were burned. The
stranger nursed me and cared for me like a brother. Not until I was
able to go out again did I learn that this scholar was the same man
who had paid his visit to me that night on the ladder. You see the man
has his heart in the right spot, and that's why I wish him now to
become member of Parliament, and why I could do for him what I would
not do for myself; for him I could electioneer, intrigue, or make
fools of honest people. That man is Professor Oldendorf.

PIEPENBRINK. Well, he's a tremendously fine man! [_Rising_.] Here's to
the health of Professor Oldendorf! [_All rise and touch glasses_.]

BOLZ (_bowing pleasantly to all--to_ MRS. PIEPENBRINK). I see warm
sympathy shining in your eyes, dear madam, and I thank you for it. Mr.
Piepenbrink, I ask permission to shake your hand; you are a fine
fellow. [_Slaps him on the back and embraces him_.] Give me your hand,
Mr. Kleinmichel! [_Embraces him_.] And you, too, Mr. Fritz
Kleinmichel! May no child of yours ever sit in the fire, but if he
does may there ever be a gallant man at hand to pull him out. Come
nearer, I must embrace you, too.

MRS. PIEPENBRINK (_much moved_). Piepenbrink, we have veal-cutlets