You needn’t feel at all shy with me. You needn’t feel shy with anybody … any one as pretty as you. Yes, really, you are, Marie… Do you know your hair actually smells sweet. MAID Mr. Alfred… YOUNG MAN Don’t make such a fuss, Marie… Anyway, I’ve already seen you otherwise. When I came home the other night and went to get some water, the door to your room was open … well… MAID (_Covering her face_) Oh, my, I didn’t know that Mr. Alfred could be so wicked. YOUNG MAN I _saw_ lots then … _that_ … and _that_ … that … and— MAID Oh, Mr. Alfred! YOUNG MAN Come, come … here … so—that’s it… MAID But if the doorbell should ring now— YOUNG MAN Now forget that … we simply wouldn’t open the door. * * * * * (_The bell rings_) YOUNG MAN Confound it… What a noise that fellow makes—Perhaps he rang before, and we didn’t notice it. MAID Oh, no. I was listening all the while. YOUNG MAN Well, see what’s the matter. Peek through the curtains. MAID Mr. Alfred … you are … no … such a bad man. YOUNG MAN Please go and see… (_Exit MAID_) YOUNG MAN (_Opens the blinds quickly_) MAID (_Returns_) He must have gone away again. Anyway, no one is there now. Perhaps, it was Dr. Schueller. YOUNG MAN (_Annoyed_) Thank you. MAID (_Drawing close to him_) YOUNG MAN (_Evading her_) Listen, Marie,—I’m going to the café now. MAID (_Tenderly_) So soon … Mr. Alfred. YOUNG MAN (_Formally_) I am going to the café now… If Dr. Schueller should call— MAID He won’t come any more to-day. YOUNG MAN (_Severely_) If Dr. Schueller should come, I—I am in the café. (_He goes to the adjoining room. The MAID takes a cigar from the smoking-stand, puts it in her blouse and goes out._) THE YOUNG MAN AND THE YOUNG WIFE