SENDEN (and guests). But do listen, revered Mr. Piepenbrink!
PIEPENBRINK. I'll listen to nothing. I'm done with you!
Enter BELLMAUS and other guests.
BELLMAUS (hurrying through the crowd). Here I am!
BOLZ. My nephew! Gracious Madam, I put him under your protection! Nephew, you escort Madam Piepenbrink. (MRS. PIEPENBRINK takes a firm grip on BELLMAUS'S arm and holds him securely. Polka behind the scene.) Farewell, gentlemen, it's beyond your power to spoil our good humor. There, the music is striking up! We march off in a jolly procession, and again I cry in conclusion, Long live Piepenbrink!
THE DEPARTING ONES. Long live Piepenbrink! [They march off in
triumph. FRITZ KLEINMICHEL and his fiancée, KÄMPE with
KLEINMICHEL, MRS. PIEPENBRINK with BELLMAUS, finally BOLZ with
PIEPENBRINK.]
Enter COLONEL.
COLONEL. What's going on here?
SENDEN. An outrageous scandal! The Union has kidnapped our two most important voters!