The MILKMAID enters, seen only by the STUDENT and HUMMEL. She raises her arms with the movement of a drowning person, while gazing fixedly at HUMMEL.
HUMMEL. [Sits down; then he crumbles in a heap, stricken with horror] Get me out of here, Johansson! Quick!—Arkenholtz, don't forget "The Valkyr!"
STUDENT. What is the meaning of all this?
JOHANSSON. We'll see! We'll see!
Curtain.
SECOND SCENE
In the Round Room. An oven of white, glazed bricks occupies the centre of the background. The mantelpiece is covered by a large mirror. An ornamental clock and candelabra stand on the mantelshelf.
At the right of the mantelpiece is a door leading into a hallway, back of which may be seen a room papered in green, with mahogany furniture. The COLONEL is seated at a writing-desk, so that only his back is visible to the public.
The statue stands at the left, surrounded by palms and with draperies arranged so that it can be hidden entirely.
A door at the left of the mantelpiece opens on the Hyacinth Room, where the YOUNG LADY is seen reading a book.
BENGTSSON, the valet, enters from the hallway, dressed in livery. He is followed by JOHANSSON in evening dress with white tie.
BENGTSSON. Now you'll have to do the waiting, Johansson, while I take the overclothes. Do you know how to do it?
JOHANSSON. Although I am pushing a war chariot in the daytime, as you know, I wait in private houses at night, and I have always dreamt of getting into this place.... Queer sort of people, hm?