Mertens. She does have eyes!

von Tiedemann. Does she!

Mrs. von Tiedemann. Just go ahead and propose to her, the togged-out thing!... Come on Gretchen!

[Both go off to the left.]

von Tiedemann. Bang!

Mertens. What do you think of that?

von Tiedemann. Let's see if we can find a cocktail! Come on Mertens! (They go out at the left.)

[Paul, Antoinette, Glyszinski come over from the right.]

[Illustration: FORDING THE WATER]

Glyszinski (quite intoxicated, to Antoinette). Without a doubt, madam, a beautiful, sensitive soul will, above all, find expression in the hand. So would you, perhaps, let me have your hand for a moment....