Roubal (With a malicious smile).—Serves her right. Why does she mix into this business, a woman? (They walk slowly a few steps.)

Gülich.—And she wants to have a play; that's a new thing too.

Roubal.—Mrs. Rettig! Wants to take part in a play? (Begins to laugh maliciously.) Well, well, she would look fine.

Gülich.—No, not that, but she—

Roubal (With a shrug).—And I simply can't stand plays. I don't go to the theater, can't bear even to hear of it. If a king played a king's part and a count that of a count, then it would be something like; but as it is, the common trash gets lordly-and I am supposed to look on? And what about this Rettig woman, who they say—?

Gülich.—She wants the people of this town to take part; Dilettantenvorstellung, aber böhmisch.^[1]

Roubal.—And in the castle, I suppose; no, in the castle theater.

Gülich.—Where French and German plays are given; not that. (With a sneer.) For the time being only "at the sign of the Black Eagle."

Roubal.—That would be a fine state of affairs, at the castle! "Ex-qui-site colt, ex-qui-site!"—She had better let such business alone.

Gülich (With a sneer).—And magistrate Rettig doesn't approve of this much, as I hear. Just lately, they say, he complained: "If I could only have some nice soup!" But so it goes: the little lady has to be constantly making experiments even with the potato vine itself; always experimenting and inventing!

Roubal.—And she passes off such things on him; they are neither salty nor greasy, and so not even goody. (Laughs at his own joke. Both retire to the rear, where they disappear among the trees.)

Before the entrance of the characters, Mrs. Roller's loud laughter is heard at the left, behind the scenes.