months in summer he has not a drop to drink; how he may live through
all that only to be eaten up at last by thievish natives. Make it very
vivid and end up with the latest market prices for Australian wool
from the _Times_. You'll find what books you need in the library.
[_Slams the door to._]

OLDENDORF (_at the table_).

Do you know Miss Runeck? She often inquires about you in her letters
to Ida.

BOLZ.

Indeed? Yes, to be sure, I know her. We are from the same village--she
from the manor-house, I from the parsonage. My father taught us
together. Oh, yes, I know her!

OLDENDORF.

How comes it that you have drifted so far apart? You never speak of
her.

BOLZ.

H'm! It is an old story--family quarrels, Montagues and Capulets. I
have not seen her for a long time.

OLDENDORF (_smiling_).

I hope that you too were not estranged by politics.