POET Why not? MISS Because I can only stop a moment. POET But, you can take your hat off, can’t you? MISS Just for the sake of a minute? POET (_Takes the pin out of her hat which he removes_) And your coat— MISS The idea!—I have to leave right away. POET But you must rest a while first. We have been walking for three hours. MISS Riding, you mean. POET Yes, we rode home—but we ran around for a full three hours in the country. Now come, sit down, child … wherever you like—here at my desk;—no, that’s not comfortable. Sit down on the sofa.—That’s it. (_He presses her down_) If you are very tired, you may as well lie down. So. (_He stretches her out on the sofa_) There, put your head on the cushion. MISS (_Laughing_) But I’m not tired at all! POET You merely imagine you’re not. So—and if you are sleepy, you can go to sleep. I shall be very quiet. And what’s more I can play you a lullaby … one of my own… (_He goes to the piano_) MISS One of yours. POET Yes. MISS But I thought, Robert, you were a professor. POET I? But I told you I was a writer. But what made you think of that? MISS Because you said the piece you are playing is your own. POET Yes … perhaps it is, perhaps it isn’t. But that doesn’t matter. Well? Anyway it doesn’t matter who composed it, if only it is beautiful. Don’t you agree? MISS Of course … it must be beautiful … that’s the chief thing!— POET Do you know what I meant by that? MISS By what? POET By what I just said. MISS (_Sleepily_) Of course I do. POET (_Gets up, goes to her, and strokes her hair_) You didn’t understand a word. MISS I’m not as stupid as that. POET Certainly you are, but that is just the reason why I love you. It is so beautiful, when girls are stupid. I mean in the way you are. MISS Go on, you are talking nonsense. POET Angel, little one! Isn’t it comfy on this soft, Persian couch cover? MISS Indeed, it is. Won’t you play something else on the piano? POET No, I’d rather stay near you. (_Caressing her_) MISS But hadn’t you better light the lamp? POET Oh, no… The dim light is so restful. We were as if bathed in sunbeams all day. Now we’ve just climbed out of the bath and slipped on … the twilight like a bathrobe—(_Laughs_) No—that ought to be expressed differently… Don’t you think so? MISS I don’t know. POET (_Moves slightly away from her_) Absolutely divine, this stupidity! (_He takes out a notebook, and writes a few words in it_) MISS What are you doing? (_She turns toward him_) What are you writing? POET (_Softly_) Sun, bath, twilight, cloak … so… (_He puts the notebook back. Aloud_) Nothing… Now tell me, sweetheart, wouldn’t you like something to eat or drink? MISS I’m not thirsty, but I am hungry. POET Hm … it would suit me better, if you were thirsty. I have some cognac at home, but I have to send out for food. MISS Can’t you send somebody? POET