Robert. Let him among you who is without sin--you know! And least of all, you! Where we shall go I can't say as yet. I couldn't think of uprooting our old parents; otherwise I should take them along. It doesn't matter where--only a long, long way, where you will belong only to me and your work--For you can take my word for it all--tired is half-happy!--Mother and Father would live with us, and you shall help me to take care of them. Besides your dressmaking, you'll have to wash and cook. Will you do that and be patient with Father and Mother? Alma. If you want me to. Robert. No, you must want to with a good will, otherwise it is useless. I ask you again, will you? Alma. Yes, from to-morrow on, I'll do everything. Robert. That's right--but why from to-morrow and not from to-day? Alma. Because to-day I was---- Robert. Well, well? Alma. Oh, please---- Robert. (_Kindly_) Out with it! Alma. I wanted--to--go--so bad--to the masked ball! (_There is a long pause_, Robert _gets up and paces the room_) May I? Alma. May I? Robert. Call father and mother. Alma. Why not? (_Whining_) Just once! Can't a person have just one good time, if it's to be the last of everything. Robert. Do you know what you're saying?--You---- Alma. (_Arrogantly_) Yes, I do know what I'm saying! I'm not such a little fool! I know a few things about life myself--What are you so excited about, anyway? Isn't it a pretty hard lot when a person has to sit here for nothing? The sun never shines in an old hole like this, nor the moon either, and all you hear on every side is jabbering and scolding!--and nobody with any decent manners. Father scolds, and mother scolds--and you sew your fingers bloody!--and you get fifty pfennigs a day and that don't even pay for the kerosene!--and when you are young and pretty--and you want to have a good time and go in decent society a little--I was always in favor of something higher--I always liked to read about it in the stories. And as for getting married? Who should I marry, then? Such plebeians as those that work down there in the factory don't interest me! No siree! All they can do is drink up their pay and come home and beat you!--I want a gentleman and if I can't have one I don't want anybody! And Kurt has always treated me decently--I never learned any dirty words from him, I'll tell you--I've picked them up right here at home! And I'm not going to stay here, either! And I don't need you to take care of me, either! Girls like me don't starve to death! Robert. (_Starts to speak then stops_) Call Father and mother! Alma. And now I'm going to ask father if I--(_As he threatens her_) Yes, yes, I'm going! (_She goes out_) Robert. So that is the way it stands?--That's my sister! Ah, what a weak fool I was!--Began to sugar this indecency with poetry and sorrow!--That wasn't seduction--it was in the blood!--Well, I must act, now! Rough if need be, otherwise everything is lost.