THEKLA [_tenderly coming towards him_]. What is it, dear? Are you ill? [_Adolf beats around him. Thekla takes her handkerchief, pours water on to it out of the bottle on the table right of the center door, and cools his forehead with it._] Adolf! ADOLF [_he shakes his head_]. Yes. THEKLA. Do you see now that you were wrong? ADOLF [_after a pause_]. Yes, yes, yes--I see it. THEKLA. And you ask me to forgive you? ADOLF. Yes, yes, yes--I ask you to forgive me; but don't talk right into my brain any more. THEKLA. Now kiss my hand. ADOLF. I'll kiss your hand, if only you won't speak to me any more. THEKLA. And now you'll go out and get some fresh air before dinner. ADOLF [_getting up_]. Yes, that will do me good, and afterwards we'll pack up and go away. THEKLA. No. [_She moves away from him up to the fireplace on the right._] ADOLF. Why not? You must have some reason. THEKLA. The simple reason that I've arranged to be at the reception this evening. ADOLF. That's it, is it? THEKLA. That's it right enough. I've promised to be there. ADOLF. Promised? You probably said that you'd try to come; it doesn't prevent you from explaining that you have given up your intention. THEKLA. No, I'm not like you: my word is binding on me. ADOLF. One's word can be binding without one being obliged to respect every casual thing one lets fall in conversation; or did somebody make you promise that you'd go? In that case, you can ask him to release you because your husband is ill. THEKLA. No, I've no inclination to do so. And, besides, you're not so ill that you can't quite well come along too. ADOLF. Why must I always come along too? Does it contribute to your greater serenity? THEKLA. I don't understand what you mean. ADOLF. That's what you always say when you know I mean something which you don't like. THEKLA. Re-a-lly? And why shouldn't I like it? ADOLF. Stop! stop! Don't start all over again--good-by for the present--I'll be back soon; I hope that in the meanwhile you'll have thought better of it. [_Exit through the central door and then toward the right. Thekla accompanies him to the back of the stage. Gustav enters, after a pause, from the right._] SCENE III. [_Gustav goes straight up to the table on the left and takes up a paper without apparently seeing Thekla._] THEKLA [_starts, then controls herself_]. You? [_She comes forward._] GUSTAV. It's me--excuse me. THEKLA [_on his left_]. Where do you come from? GUSTAV. I came by the highroad, but--I won't stay on here after seeing that-- THEKLA. Oh, you stay--Well, it's a long time. GUSTAV. You're right, a very long time. THEKLA. You've altered a great deal, Gustav. GUSTAV. But you, on the other hand, my dear Thekla, are still quite as fascinating as ever--almost younger, in fact. Please forgive me. I wouldn't for anything disturb your happiness by my presence. If I'd known that you were staying here I would never have--