card-players. put their heads in the doorway, and every one was astounded at the sight of Diederich and his partner, rolling in their chairs, clutching the table and hurling strong words at eack other, with glassy eyes and snarling teeth.
"There is one enemy and he is my enemy!"
"There is only one master in my kingdom and I will endure no other!"
"I can be very unpleasant!"
They tried to shout one another down.
"Mistaken humanitarianism."
"Enemies of their own country and of the divine order of the world!"
"They must be exterminated to the last man."
A bottle crushed against the wall.
"I will smash!"
"German dust … from their shoes … glorious days!"
Just then some one with blindfolded eyes glided through the spectators. It was Guste Daimchen who had to find a gentleman this way. She came up behind Diederich and touched him, trying to make him stand up. He stiffened up and repeated threateningly: "Glorious days!" She pulled down the bandage, stared at him anxiously and went to get his sisteps. Buck also saw that it was time to stop. In an unostentatious manner he assisted his friend to get away, but he could not prevent Diederich from turning at the door to the gaping crowd of dancers, and drawing himself up haughtily, though his eyes were too glassy to flash.
"I will smash!"
Then he was taken downstairs and put into the carriage.
When he came into the sitting-room towards midday, with a terrible headache, he was astonished to see Emma march out indignantly. But Magda had only to make a few cautious allusions for him to remember what was the matter. "Did I really do that? Well, I admit there were ladies present.
