Oh, you’re not a Viennese? HUSBAND Yes, I am a Viennese. But I am living out of town now… MISS Where? HUSBAND Oh, well, that doesn’t matter. MISS Oh, don’t be frightened, I won’t come to see you. HUSBAND If it would give you any pleasure you may come. I live in Graz. MISS Honestly? HUSBAND Yes, why does that surprise you? MISS You are married, aren’t you? HUSBAND (_Greatly surprised_) What makes you think that? MISS I just got the impression. HUSBAND And you wouldn’t mind that at all? MISS Well, I would rather that you were single.—So you are married!— HUSBAND But, tell me first what made you think of that? MISS If a man says he doesn’t live in Vienna, and he doesn’t always have time— HUSBAND But that’s not so improbable. MISS I don’t believe it. HUSBAND And wouldn’t it hurt your conscience to have caused a married man to become unfaithful? MISS Oh, my, no doubt your wife acts just like you. HUSBAND (_Very indignant_) That will do. No more of such remarks. MISS I thought you didn’t have a wife. HUSBAND Whether I have one or not—such remarks are uncalled for. (_He has risen_) MISS But Karl, Karl, what is the matter? Are you angry? I really didn’t know that you were married. I was just talking. Come, don’t be angry. HUSBAND (_Comes back to her after a few minutes_) You are strange creatures, you … women. (_He becomes tender again_) MISS Stop … don’t … it’s too late now. HUSBAND Well, listen to me a minute. Let’s talk seriously. I would like to see you again, to see you often. MISS Would you? HUSBAND But one thing is necessary … that I can depend upon you. I can’t look out for you. MISS Oh, I can look out for myself. HUSBAND You are … well, I can’t just say inexperienced—but, you are young—and—men in general are pretty unscrupulous. MISS Oh, my! HUSBAND I don’t mean on the moral side only.—Well, you know what I mean— MISS Tell me, what do you think I am? HUSBAND Look here—if you want me—me only—we can easily arrange it—even if I do generally live in Graz. In a place like this where some one may come in at any moment, it isn’t very comfortable. MISS (_Snuggles up to him_) HUSBAND Next time … we shall go somewhere else, won’t we? MISS Yes. HUSBAND Where we may be entirely alone. MISS Yes. HUSBAND (_Embracing her passionately_) We’ll discuss the rest on the way home. (_He rises, and opens the door_) Waiter … the bill! THE SWEET YOUNG MISS AND THE POET _A small room, furnished with taste and comfort. Red curtains half-darken the room. A large writing-table strewn with books and papers. A piano against the wall. The SWEET YOUNG MISS and the POET are disclosed. They are just entering. The POET closes the door._ POET (_Kisses her_) My darling! MISS (_With hat and coat_) Oh! It’s very pretty here! Only you can’t see anything! POET Your eyes will have to get used to this semi-darkness.—Those sweet eyes— (_Kisses her eyes_) MISS But there won’t be time enough.