THEKLA [_turns away from the square table and comes to Adolf's right_]. How he blushes! So the little brother wants to mystify me a bit, does he? Well, let him come here and confess what he's got on his conscience to his little wife. [_She draws him to her. Adolf lets his head sink on her breast; laughing._] ADOLF. You're a regular devil, do you know that? THEKLA. No, I know myself so little. ADOLF. Do you never think about yourself? THEKLA [_looking in the air, while she looks at him searchingly_]. About myself? I only think about myself. I am a shocking egoist, but how philosophical you've become, my dear. ADOLF. Put your hand on my forehead. THEKLA [_playfully_]. Has he got bees in his bonnet again? Shall I drive them away? [_She kisses him on the forehead._] There, it's all right now? [_Pause, moving away from him to the right._] Now let me hear what he's been doing to amuse himself. Painted anything pretty? ADOLF. No; I've given up painting! THEKLA. What, you've given up painting! ADOLF. Yes, but don't scold me about it. How could I help it if I wasn't able to paint any more? THEKLA. What are you going to take up then? ADOLF. I'm going to be a sculptor. [_Thekla passes over in front of the square table and in front of the sofa._] Yes, but don't blame me--just look at this figure. THEKLA [_unwraps the figure on the table_]. Hallo, I say. Who's this meant to be? ADOLF. Guess! THEKLA [_tenderly_]. Is it meant to be his little wife? And he isn't ashamed of it, is he? ADOLF. Hasn't he hit the mark? THEKLA. How can I tell?--the face is lacking. [_She drapes the figure._] ADOLF. Quite so--but all the rest? Nice? THEKLA [_taps him caressingly on yhe cheek_]. Will he shut up? Otherwise I'll kiss him. [_She goes behind him; Adolf defending himself._] ADOLF. Look out, look out, anybody might come. THEKLA [_nestling close to him_]. What do I care! I'm surely allowed to kiss my own husband. That's only my legal right. ADOLF. Quite so; but do you know the people here in the hotel take the view that we're not married because we kiss each other so much, and our occasional quarreling makes them all the more cocksure about it, because lovers usually carry on like that. THEKLA. But need there be any quarrels? Can't he always be as sweet and good as he is at present. Let him tell me. Wouldn't he like it himself? Wouldn't he like us to be happy? ADOLF. I should like it, but-- THEKLA [_with a step to the right_]. Who put it into his head not to paint any more? ADOLF. You're always scenting somebody behind me and my thoughts. You're jealous. THEKLA. I certainly am. I was always afraid some one might estrange you from me. ADOLF. You're afraid of that, you say, though you know very well that there isn't a woman living who can supplant you--that I can't live without you. THEKLA. I wasn't frightened the least bit of females. It was your friends I was afraid of: they put all kinds of ideas into your head.