..
BOLLAND. You will receive two thousand votes more than the
Socialists. That's certain.
BEERMANN [skeptical]. No,--no.
BOLLAND. If all the Liberals combine with the Conservatives, the
result cannot be in doubt.
BEERMANN [taking coffee from the servant]. If ...
BOLLAND. Fusion is here. It's the logical development. I am an old
politician. The time for discussion is over. Now it's a straight
fight to a finish.
DR. WASNER [coming nearer]. The German fatherland is rallying to
the support of the national flag.
BEERMANN. But there are controversies everywhere. I know best. I
always am told by campaign managers: don't say this and don't say
that.
BOLLAND. In what way?
BEERMANN. For instance, I'm to speak at the Liberal Club the day
after to-morrow. You would not expect me to say the same things I
told the Conservatives last night ...?
BOLLAND. Your details, of course, must differ. But fundamentally
it amounts to the same thing.
BEERMANN. The same thing? Believe me, all this masking confuses
me. [Drinks.]
EFFIE [calling across the tea table where she has been standing
with others]. Papa! Listen to Frau Bolland. She also says that the
Indian Dancer is so interesting.
FRAU BOLLAND. Positively won--derful, Herr Bolland! You can
conceive the entire spirit of the Orient,
EFFIE. Why haven't we gone to see her?
FRAU BOLLAND.
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