And they are telling each other about their love affairs. And each one of them tells that with the woman he loved best—most passionately, you know … that with him, that then—well, in short, that the same thing happened just as it happened to me now. YOUNG WIFE Yes. YOUNG MAN That is very characteristic. YOUNG WIFE Yes. YOUNG MAN The story is not yet ended. One of them maintained … that this thing had never in his life happened to him, but, adds Stendhal—he was known as a great boaster. YOUNG WIFE And.— YOUNG MAN And, yet, it makes you feel blue—that’s the stupid side of it, even though it’s so unimportant. YOUNG WIFE Of course. Anyway, you know … you promised me to be good. YOUNG MAN Sh-h! Don’t laugh. That doesn’t help things any. YOUNG WIFE But no, I’m not laughing. That story of Stendhal’s is really interesting. I have always thought that only older people … or people who … you know, people who have lived fast… YOUNG MAN The idea! That has nothing to do with it. By the way, I had completely forgotten the prettiest of Stendhal’s stories. One of the cavalry officers went so far as to say that he stayed for three or even six nights… I don’t remember now—that is he stayed with a woman, whom he wanted for weeks—_desirée_—you understand—and nothing happened all those nights except that they wept for happiness … both… YOUNG WIFE Both? YOUNG MAN Yes. Does that surprise you? It seems very comprehensible—especially when two people love each other. YOUNG WIFE But surely there are many who don’t weep. YOUNG MAN (_Nervously_) Certainly … however, that is an exceptional case. YOUNG WIFE Oh—I thought Stendhal said that all cavalry officers weep on such an occasion. YOUNG MAN Look here, now you are laughing at me. YOUNG WIFE What an idea! Don’t be childish, Alfred. YOUNG MAN Well, it makes me nervous anyway… Besides I have the feeling that you are thinking about it all the time. That embarrasses me still more. YOUNG WIFE I’m not thinking of it at all. YOUNG MAN If I were only sure that you love me. YOUNG WIFE Do you want still further proofs? YOUNG MAN Didn’t I tell you … you are always laughing at me. YOUNG WIFE How so? Come, let me hold your sweet little head. YOUNG MAN Oh, that feels so good. YOUNG WIFE Do you love me? YOUNG MAN Oh, I’m so happy. YOUNG WIFE But you needn’t cry about it. YOUNG MAN (_Moving away from her, highly irritated_) There! Again! I begged you not to… YOUNG WIFE To tell you that you shouldn’t cry… YOUNG MAN You said: “You needn’t cry about it.” YOUNG WIFE You are nervous, sweetheart. YOUNG MAN I know. YOUNG WIFE But you ought not to be. It is beautiful even that … that we are together like good comrades… YOUNG MAN Now you are beginning again. YOUNG WIFE