Everybody. (Except Stephenson who bows with hand on heart.) Hip—hip—hip: hurrah, hurrah, hurrah!
Gr. Der Tiger—ah-h-h!
Wirthin. Sei ruhig, you hussy!
S. Well, I’ve lost a couple of precious daughters, but I’ve gained a couple of precious scamps to fill up the gap with; so it’s all right. I’m satisfied, and everybody’s forgiven—(With mock threats at Gretchen.)
W. Oh, wir werden für Dich sorgen—du herrliches Gretchen!
Gr. Danke schön!
M. (To Wirthin.) Und für Sie auch; denn wenn Sie nicht so freundlich gewesen wären, krank zu werden, wie wären wir je so glücklich geworden wie jetzt?
Wirthin. Well, dear, I was kind, but I didn’t mean it. But I ain’t sorry—not one bit—that I ain’t.
Tableau.
S. Come now, the situation is full of hope, and grace, and tender sentiment. If I had in the least the poetic gift, I know I could improvise under such an inspiration (each girl nudges her sweetheart) something worthy to—to—is there no poet among us?