Oh, yes, a hairdresser … at the theater, I suppose? MISS Why are you asking so many questions? HUSBAND Because I am interested. What does your other brother do? MISS He’s still going to school. He wants to become a teacher. Just imagine! HUSBAND And you also have a little sister? MISS Yes, she is a mere child, but you have to keep an eye on her all the time already. You have no idea how girls are spoiled at school. Just imagine! The other day I caught her keeping a date. HUSBAND Really? MISS Yes! She was out walking one evening at half-past seven with a boy from the school across the way. A mere child like her! HUSBAND And what did you do? MISS I gave her a spanking. HUSBAND Are you as strict as all that? MISS Well, who would be if I wasn’t? My older sister is working and mother does nothing but grumble—everything always depends on me. HUSBAND You are a dear, sweet girl! (_Kisses her, and grows more tender_) You also remind me of some one. MISS So—of whom? HUSBAND Of no one in particular … of bygone days … of my youth. Come, drink, child! MISS How old are you?… You … why … I don’t even know your name. HUSBAND Karl. MISS Is it possible? Your name is Karl? HUSBAND Was his name also Karl? MISS No, but that’s the queer thing … that is … the eyes … (_shaking her head_) the way you look at me… HUSBAND And who was he?—You haven’t told me yet. MISS Oh, he was a bad man—that’s sure, otherwise he wouldn’t have gone away. HUSBAND Did you love him very much? MISS Of course, I loved him. HUSBAND I know what he was—a lieutenant. MISS No, he wasn’t in the army. He couldn’t pass the examinations. His father owns a house in … but why do you have to know? HUSBAND (_Kisses her_) You have gray eyes. I thought, at first, they were black. MISS Well aren’t they pretty enough? HUSBAND (_Kisses her eyes_) MISS Don’t please—I can’t bear it… O, please don’t … let me get up … only for a moment—please. HUSBAND (_More tenderly still_) No, indeed. MISS But, please, Karl… HUSBAND How old are you?—eighteen—isn’t it? MISS Just past nineteen. HUSBAND Nineteen … and I— MISS You are thirty… HUSBAND And a little more—Don’t let’s talk about it. MISS He was thirty-two, when I first met him. HUSBAND How long ago was that? MISS I don’t remember… Listen, there must have been something in the wine. HUSBAND What makes you think so? MISS I am quite … see—everything is turning round about me. HUSBAND Then hold tight to me. So… (_He holds her close to him, and becomes more and more tender. She hardly resists_) I’ll tell you something, dear, we might go now. MISS Yes … home. HUSBAND Well, not exactly home… MISS What do you mean?… O, no—no… I won’t go anywhere else. What do you think I am? HUSBAND But listen to me, child—the next time we meet, you know, we will arrange it so that … (_He has slipped to the floor with his head in her lap_) This is so comfy, oh, so comfy! MISS