GUSTAV. Well, the same principle applies, you see--that is to say, the principle that my temperament and circumstances drove me to revenge myself. Isn't it a case of six of one and half-a-dozen of the other? But do you know why you've got the worst of it in this struggle? [_Thekla looks contemptuous._] Why you and that husband of yours managed to get downed? I'll tell you. Because I was stronger than you, and smarter. It was you, my dear, who was a donkey--and he as well! So you see that one isn't necessarily bound to be quite an ass even though one doesn't write any novels or paint any pictures. Just remember that! [_He turns away from her to the left._] THEKLA. Haven't you got a grain of feeling left? GUSTAV. Not a grain--that's why, don't you know, I'm so good at thinking, as you are perhaps able to see by the slight proofs which I've given you, and can play the practical man equally well, and I've just given you something of a sample of what I can do in that line. [_He strides round the table and sofa on the left and turns again to her._] THEKLA. And all this simply because I wounded your vanity? GUSTAV [_on her left_]. Not that only, but you be jolly careful in the future of wounding other people's vanity--it's the most sensitive part of a man. THEKLA. What a vindictive wretch! Ugh! GUSTAV. What a promiscuous wretch. Ugh! THEKLA. Do you mean that's my temperament? GUSTAV. Do you mean that's my temperament? THEKLA [_goes over toward him to the left_]. You wouldn't like to forgive me? GUSTAV. Certainly, I have forgiven you. THEKLA. You? GUSTAV. Quite. Have I ever raised my hand against you two in all these years? No. But when I happened to be here I favored you two with scarce a look and the cleavage between you is already there. Did I ever reproach you, moralize, lecture? No. I joked a little with your husband and the accumulated dynamite in him just happened to go off, but I, who am defending myself like this, am the one who's really entitled to stand here and complain. Thekla, have you nothing to reproach yourself with? THEKLA. Not the least bit--the Christians say it's Providence that guides our actions, others call it Fate, aren't we quite guiltless? GUSTAV. No doubt we are to a certain extent. But an infinitesimal something remains, and that contains the guilt, all the same, and the creditors turn up sooner or later! Men and women may be guiltless, but they have to render an account. Guiltless before Him in whom neither of us believes any more, responsible to themselves and to their fellow-men. THEKLA. You've come, then, to warn me? GUSTAV. I've come to demand back what you stole from me, not what you had as a present. You stole my honor, and I could only win back mine by taking yours--wasn't I right? THEKLA [_after a pause, going over to him on the right_]. Honor! Hm! And are you satisfied now? GUSTAV [_after a pause_]. I am satisfied now. [_He presses the bell by the door L. for the Waiter._]