FRIEDRICH: Well, yes; I mean a vigorous man in his best years. For fifteen years he had been a widower, he had worked, worked unceasingly, and then--the house was well established--he could think of placing some of the work upon younger shoulders. He could think of enjoying his life once more. RITA (_softly_): That is---- FRIEDRICH (_continuing_): And he thought he had found, in you, the one who would bring back to him youth and the joy of life. RITA (_irritated_): Yes, but then you ought to--(_Breaks off._) Oh, it is not worth while. FRIEDRICH: How? I should have been man enough to say: No, I forbid it; that is a folly of age. I, your son, forbid it. I demand her for myself. The young fortune is meant for me--not for you?----No, Erna, I could not do that. I could not do that. RITA: No. FRIEDRICH: I, the young clerk, with no future before me! RITA: No! FRIEDRICH: My entire training and my conceptions urged me to consider it my duty to simply stand aside and stifle my affection, as I did--as I already told you even before any other person had an idea of the intentions of my father. I gradually grew away from you. RITA (_amused_): Gradually--yes, I recollect. You suddenly became formal. Indeed, very nice! FRIEDRICH: I thought---- (_Bertha comes with the coffee and serves._) RITA: Will you take a cup with me? FRIEDRICH (_thoughtlessly_): I thought----(_Correcting himself_) pardon me! I thank you! RITA: I hope it will not disturb you if I drink my coffee while you continue. FRIEDRICH: Please (_embarrassed_). I thought it a proper thing. I hoped that my cold and distant attitude would check a possible existing affection for me. RITA: Possible existing affection! Fie! Now you are beginning to lie! (_She jumps up and walks nervously through the room._) As though you had not positively known that! (_Stepping in front of him_) Or what did you take me for when I kissed you? FRIEDRICH (_very much frightened, also rises_): O, Erna, I always---- RITA (_laughs_): You are delightful! Delightful! Still the same bashful boy--who does not dare--(_she laughs and sits down again_.) Delightful. FRIEDRICH (_after a silence, hesitatingly_): Well, are you going to allow me to call you Erna again, as of yore? RITA: As of yore. (_She sighs, then gaily_) If you care to. FRIEDRICH (_happy_): Yes? May I? RITA (_heartily_): O, yes, Fritz. That's better, isn't it? It sounds more natural, eh? FRIEDRICH (_presses her hand and sighs_): Yes, really. You take a heavy load from me. Everything that I want to say to you can be done so much better in the familiar tone. RITA: Oh! Have you still so much to say to me? FRIEDRICH: Well--but now tell me first: how was it possible for you to undertake such a step. What prompted you to leave so suddenly? Erna, Erna, how could you do that? RITA (_proudly_): How I could? Can you ask me that? Do you really not know it? FRIEDRICH (_softly_): Oh, yes; I do know it, but--it takes so much to do that.