BOLLAND. I'll better that!

BEERMANN. Take it! Gras-Solo!

[They play.]

[Hauser, Frau Lund, Frau Beermann remain sitting at right.]

FRAU LUND. At last the Fatherland is saved.

FRAU BEERMANN. It's the only occupation for which nature intended
them. They should not tinker with national problems.

HAUSER. Have patience. Political ambition dies out after the first
defeat.

FRAU BEERMANN. ... which I hope will happen.

HAUSER. That's as certain as fate. Else he never would have been
nominated.

BEERMANN [calling from the card table]. I have pretty sharp
hearing!

HAUSER. A very fine acquisition, Beermann, when you grow old.

BOLLAND [throwing a card on the table]. Fifty-nine and four make
sixty-three! The rest you can take.

(They throw down their cards; Bolland collects them and shuffles.)