Well, what are we waiting for? Anyhow, I must be back at the barracks by ten. GIRL Been in service long? SOLDIER What business is that of yours? Is it far? GIRL Ten minutes’ walk. SOLDIER That’s too far for me. Give me a kiss. GIRL (_Kissing him_) I like that best anyway—when I love some one. SOLDIER I don’t. No, I can’t go with you. It’s too far. GIRL Say, come to-morrow afternoon. SOLDIER Sure. Give me your address. GIRL But maybe you won’t come. SOLDIER If I promise! GIRL Look here—if my place is too far to-night—there … there… (_She points toward the Danube_) SOLDIER What’s there? GIRL It’s nice and quiet there, too … no one is around. SOLDIER Oh, that’s not the real thing. GIRL It’s always the real thing with me. Come, stay with me now. Who knows, if we’ll be alive to-morrow. SOLDIER Come along then—but quick. GIRL Be careful! It’s dark here. If you slip, you’ll fall in the river. SOLDIER Would be the best thing, perhaps. GIRL Sh-h. Wait a minute. We’ll come to a bench soon. SOLDIER You seem to know this place pretty well. GIRL I’d like to have you for a sweetheart. SOLDIER I’d fight too much. GIRL I’d cure you of that soon enough. SOLDIER Humph— GIRL Don’t make so much noise. Sometimes a guard stumbles down here. Would you believe we are in the middle of Vienna? SOLDIER Come here. Come over here. GIRL You are crazy! If we slipped here, we’d fall into the river. SOLDIER (_Has grabbed her_) Oh you— GIRL Hold tight to me. SOLDIER Don’t be afraid… * * * * * GIRL It would have been nicer on the bench. SOLDIER Here or there, it doesn’t matter to me… Well, pick yourself up. GIRL What’s your hurry—? SOLDIER I must get to the barracks. I’ll be late anyhow. GIRL Say, what’s your name? SOLDIER What’s that to you? GIRL My name is Leocadia. SOLDIER Humph! I never heard such a name before. GIRL Listen! SOLDIER Well, what do you want? GIRL Give me just a dime for the janitor. SOLDIER Humph!… Do you think I’m your meal-ticket? Good-by, Leocadia… GIRL Tightwad! Pimp! (_He disappears_) THE SOLDIER AND THE PARLOR-MAID _Prater Gardens. Sunday Evening. A road which leads from the Wurstelprater[1] into dark tree arcades. Confused music from the Wurstelprater can still be heard; also strains from the cheap dancehall, a vulgar polka, played by a brass band. THE SOLDIER. THE PARLOR-MAID._ MAID Now tell me why you wanted to leave. SOLDIER (_Grins sheepishly_) MAID It was so beautiful and I so love to dance. SOLDIER (_Puts his arm around her waist_) MAID (_Submitting_) But we aren’t dancing now. Why do you hold me so tight? SOLDIER What’s your name? Katy? MAID You’ve always got a “Katy” on your mind. SOLDIER I know—I know … Marie. MAID Goodness, it’s dark here. I’m afraid. SOLDIER You needn’t be afraid when I’m with you. I can take care of myself! MAID