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 fur Dich sorgen—dur herrliches Gretchen!
GR. Danke schon!
M. (To Wirthin.) Und fur Sie auch; denn wenn Sie nicht so freundlich gewesen waren, krank zu werden, wie waren wir je so glucklich 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 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? (Each youth turns solemnly his back upon the other, and raises his hands in benediction over his sweetheart’s bowed head.)
BOTH YOUTHS AT ONCE. Mir ist als ob ich die HandeAufs Haupt Dir legen sollt’—(They turn and look reproachfully at each other—the girls contemplate them with injured surprise.)