SCHNEIDEKIND [coming to the table]. Not yet, sir. Which
government do you wish it sent to? [He sits down.]

STRAMMFEST. That depends. What's the latest? Which of them do you
think is most likely to be in power tomorrow morning?

SCHNEIDEKIND. Well, the provisional government was going strong
yesterday. But today they say that the Prime Minister has shot
himself, and that the extreme left fellow has shot all the
others.

STRAMMFEST. Yes: that's all very well; but these fellows always
shoot themselves with blank cartridge.

SCHNEIDEKIND. Still, even the blank cartridge means backing down.
I should send the report to the Maximilianists.

STRAMMFEST. They're no stronger than the Oppidoshavians; and in
my own opinion the Moderate Red Revolutionaries are as likely to
come out on top as either of them.

SCHNEIDEKIND. I can easily put a few carbon sheets in the
typewriter and send a copy each to the lot.

STRAMMFEST. Waste of paper. You might as well send reports to an
infant school. [He throws his head on the table with a groan.]

SCHNEIDEKIND. Tired out, Sir?

STRAMMFEST. O Schneidekind, Schneidekind, how can you bear to