Prince.
My dear Brachtmann, shall we----?
Kellinghausen.
No, no; don't run off. Richard and I have no secrets. Let us take possession of this quiet corner. (To Conrad, who is passing with a tray of refreshments.) Conrad, what have you got there? Lion brew from the wood, eh?
Conrad.
Yes, your Excellency.
Kellinghausen.
That's what we always had at Bismarck's. H'm--in those days there was a power in the land. It weighed on us rather heavily at times, but we were none the worse for it. Your health, Richard, my dear fellow! Gentlemen, your healths! How deuced quiet you all are! You look as if I'd invited you to my own funeral. Good Lord, if you knew how glad I am to have got the Reichstag off my shoulders!--The other day, down at the polls, I said to one of our Lengenfeld peasants: "My dear friend--" (they're all our dear friends at election-time; we even have to put up with being their dear friends). "My dear friend," said I, "I hope you're going to vote for my successor?"--"What will he give me for it?" says he. "What will the Socialist give you?" said I. "The Socialist will call you all names, and I like to hear you called names. It makes me laugh," the fellow answered. And he was right. We must amuse the masses and they'll love us. Circus-riding, my dear friends that's all the nobility are good for!
Brachtmann.
We shall miss your cheerful view of life, my dear Kellinghausen.