ROBERT. For your sake because you are unhappy so far away. For his sake too because he should think of his future. BERTHA. [_Laughing._] Do you remember what he said when you spoke to him last night? ROBERT. About...? [_Reflecting._] Yes. He quoted the _Our Father_ about our daily bread. He said that to take care for the future is to destroy hope and love in the world. BERTHA. Do you not think he is strange? ROBERT. In that, yes. BERTHA. A little—mad? ROBERT. [_Comes closer._] No. He is not. Perhaps we are. Why, do you...? BERTHA. [_Laughs._] I ask you because you are intelligent. ROBERT. You must not go away. I will not let you. BERTHA. [_Looks full at him._] You? ROBERT. Those eyes must not go away. [_He takes her hands._] May I kiss your eyes? BERTHA. Do so. [_He kisses her eyes and then passes his hand over her hair._] ROBERT. Little Bertha! BERTHA. [_Smiling._] But I am not so little. Why do you call me little? ROBERT. Little Bertha! One embrace? [_He puts his arm around her._] Look into my eyes again. BERTHA. [_Looks._] I can see the little gold spots. So many you have. ROBERT. [_Delighted._] Your voice! Give me a kiss, a kiss with your mouth. BERTHA. Take it. ROBERT. I am afraid. [_He kisses her mouth and passes his hand many times over her hair._] At last I hold you in my arms! BERTHA. And are you satisfied? ROBERT. Let me feel your lips touch mine. BERTHA. And then you will be satisfied? ROBERT. [_Murmurs._] Your lips, Bertha! BERTHA. [_Closes her eyes and kisses him quickly._] There. [_Puts her hands on his shoulders._] Why don’t you say: thanks? ROBERT. [_Sighs._] My life is finished—over. BERTHA. O, don’t speak like that now, Robert. ROBERT. Over, over. I want to end it and have done with it. BERTHA. [_Concerned but lightly._] You silly fellow! ROBERT. [_Presses her to him._] To end it all—death. To fall from a great high cliff, down, right down into the sea. BERTHA. Please, Robert... ROBERT. Listening to music and in the arms of the woman I love—the sea, music and death. BERTHA. [_Looks at him for a moment._] The woman you love? ROBERT. [_Hurriedly._] I want to speak to you, Bertha—alone—not here. Will you come? BERTHA. [_With downcast eyes._] I too want to speak to you. ROBERT. [_Tenderly._] Yes, dear, I know. [_He kisses her again._] I will speak to you; tell you all; then. I will kiss you, then, long long kisses—when you come to me—long long sweet kisses. BERTHA. Where? ROBERT. [_In the tone of passion._] Your eyes. Your lips. All your divine body. BERTHA. [_Repelling his embrace, confused._] I meant where do you wish me to come. ROBERT. To my house. Not my mother’s over there. I will write the address for you. Will you come? BERTHA. When? ROBERT. Tonight. Between eight and nine. Come. I will wait for you tonight. And every night. You will? [_He kisses her with passion, holding her head between his hands. After a few instants she breaks from him. He sits down._]