GUSTAV. You can trust me for that. But be careful you aren't afraid when you see later on how I can dissect a human soul and lay the entrails here on the table. It may seem a bit uncanny to beginners, but if you've seen it done once you don't regret it. One thing more, don't say a word that you've met me, or that you have made any acquaintance during her absence--not a word. I'll ferret out her weak point myself. Hush! She's already up there in her room. She's whistling--then she's in a temper. Now stick to it. [_He points to the left._] And sit here on this chair, then she'll have to sit there [_He points to the sofa on the left._], and I can keep you both in view at the same time. ADOLF. We've still got an hour before dinner. There are no new visitors, for there has been no bell to announce them. We'll be alone together--more's the pity! GUSTAV. You seem pretty limp. Are you unwell? ADOLF. I'm all right; unless, you know, I'm frightened of what's going to happen. But I can't help its happening. The stone rolls, but it was not the last drop of water that made it roll, nor yet the first--everything taken together brought it about. GUSTAV. Let it roll, then; it won't have any peace until it does. Good-by, for the time being. [_Exit on the right. Adolf nods to him, stands up for a short time, looking at the photograph, tears it to pieces, and throws the fragments behind the circular table on the right; he then sits down in his previous place, nervously arranges his tie, runs his fingers through his hair, fumbles with the lapels of his coat, etc. Thekla enters on the left._] SCENE II. THEKLA [_frank, cheerful and engaging, goes straight up to her husband and kisses him_]. Good-day, little brother; how have you been getting on? [_She stands on his left._] ADOLF [_half overcome but jocularly resisting_]. What mischief have you been up to, for you to kiss me? THEKLA. Yes, let me just confess. Something very naughty--I've spent an awful lot of money. ADOLF. Did you have a good time, then? THEKLA. Excellent. [_She goes to his right._] But not at the Congress. It was as dull as ditch-water, don't you know. But how has little brother been passing the time, when his little dove had flown away? [_She looks around the room, as though looking for somebody or scenting something, and thus comes behind the sofa on the left._] ADOLF. Oh, the time seemed awfully long. THEKLA. Nobody to visit you? ADOLF. Not a soul. THEKLA [_looks him up and down and sits down on the sofa_]. Who sat here? ADOLF. Here? No one. THEKLA. Strange! The sofa is as warm as anything, and there's the mark of an elbow in the cushion. Have you had a lady visitor? [_She stands up._] ADOLF. Me? You're not serious?