Colonel, the local glee club asks to be allowed to sing you some songs—kindly listen to the little serenade as a feeble expression of the general veneration and love.
COLONEL.
Gentlemen, I regret exceedingly that a case of illness in my family makes it desirable for me to have you curtail your artistic performance. I thank you for your intentions, and beg you will sing to Professor Oldendorf the songs you had designed for me.
FRITZ KLEINMICHEL.
We considered it our duty first to greet you before visiting your friend. In order not to disturb invalids, we will, with your permission, place ourselves further away from the house, in the garden.
COLONEL.
Do as you please.
[FRITZ KLEINMICHEL and the two others leave.]
Is this act, too, an invention of yours?
BOLZ (with a bow).