Page:Poet Lore, volume 35, 1924.pdf/373

 Dr. Svoboda (Suspiciously).—You have—

Siegdorf.—Sold my estate.

Dr. Svoboda (Angrily).—To whom?

Siegdorf.—To a bank in Vienna, or (With a laugh), as it is called, the bank of the rabble.

Dr. Svoboda (Quickly).—You, Baron?

Siegdorf.—Yes, that was a clever play. And how was it managed? Do you know that I played one side against the other until they both began to grow excited? There was some concern shown, believe me!

Dr. Svoboda.—You then, Baron, do not expect to vote with us in the coming election?

KlementiaKlementina [sic].—Not at all. The Baron found a convenient moment to look after his own interests. He saved himself by selling his estate.

Siegdorf.—And how! And how! Just let me tell you! You must, my highly esteemed friend, do exactly the same!

Klementina.—Pray be seated. (All seat themselves.)

Siegdorf.—Then that agent came around to see me the same one that called to pay his respects toyou

Klementina.—Neufeld.

Siegdorf.—Yes, Neufeld. He bid for the estate. Offered 300,000. I, without any delay, sent a telegram to our party in Prague to ask for 350,000 florins. They answer they will pay it. I showed that telegram to Neufeld who said he would add 50,000. I once more sent a wire to Prague. They replied that they could go no higher than 360,000 florins. And here, my honorable neighbor, is where I performed my cleverest trick! I changed the figure three to a four, gave it to Neufeld to read, and he offered me 460,000 florins! Hahaha! Wasn’t that fine?

Dr. Svoboda (Angrily).—But Baron, that is not a joke—that is

Siegdorf (Seriously).—No, indeed. I am serious. After all my debts were paid, I had some 160,000 florins left which I fell into by a clever maneuvre!

Dr. Svoboda.—And what about our party, which depended upon you?

Siegdorf.—Let it look for new members elsewhere! They won’t mourn over the loss of my vote or my presence either. I would have been a pauper in a short time. Now I can live respectably again.

Dr. Svoboda (Aside).—That is amazing.