The same scene: in the afternoon. Holtzmann is waiting. Enter Kellinghausen in hat and fur-lined coat.
Kellinghausen.
Ah, Holtzmann--this is very good of you. I'm extremely obliged to you for coming. (Shakes hands with him.) Sorry to have kept you waiting. (Takes off his hat and coat.) Sit down--sit down.--That is,--perhaps we'd better-- Oh, well, my wife's not likely to come in just now.--A cigarette?
Holtzmann.
Thanks. I don't smoke.
Kellinghausen (lighting a cigarette).
You remember Meixner the fellow who gave us such a lot of trouble during the elections? I believe you and he have crossed swords once or twice in public; and didn't you tell me that you knew him personally? When was it that you ran across him?
Holtzmann.
There was only one inn in the village, and his room and mine were on the same landing. The meeting was over at eleven, and I went to bed soon after. About midnight in walks Meixner, as cool as you please, and sits down on my bed. "We haven't finished that argument yet. Let's have it out now," he said. And there he sat till six in the morning.
Kellinghausen.