_San. Eng. Bloch._ Yes, I can quite see that such an existence must have had its moments of quiet merriment. (_Shaking his head._) But I _don't_ see what in the world possessed ALFRED to go and marry as he did. _Mopsa_ (_with suppressed emotion_). The Law of Change. Our latest catchphrase, you know. ALFRED is so subject to it. So will _you_ be, some day or other! _San. Eng. Bloch._ Never in all my life; whatever progress may be made in sanitation! (_Insistently._) Can't you _really_ care for me? _Mopsa._ I might--(_looking down_)--if you have no objection to go halves with ALFRED. _San. Eng. Bloch._ I am behind the times, I daresay; but such an arrangement does _not_ strike me as a firm basis for a really happy home. I should certainly object to it, most decidedly. _Mopsa_ (_laughs bitterly_). What creatures of convention you men are, after all! (_Recollecting herself._) But I _quite_ forgot. I am conventional _myself_ now. You are perfectly right; it _would_ be utterly irregular! _Alfred_ (_comes up the steps_). Is it you, BLOCHDRÄHN, that has posted up that bill? On the new summer-house! _San. Eng. Bloch._ Yes, Mrs. FRÜYSECK asked me to. _Alfred_ (_touched_). Then she _does_ miss Little MOPSËMAN, after all! Are you going? Not without _MOPSA?_ _San. Eng. Bloch._ (_shaking his head_). I did invite her to accompany me; but she won't. So I must make my jobs alone. _Alfred._ It's so horrible to be alone--or _not_ to be alone, if it comes to that! (_Oppressed--to himself._) My troll is at it again! I shall press her to stay--I _know_ I shall--and it will end in the usual way! _Spreta_ (_comes up the steps, plaintively_). It _is_ unkind of you all to leave me alone like this. When I'm so nervous in the dark, too! _Mopsa_ (_tenderly_). But I _must_ leave you, SPRETA, dear. By the next steamer. That is----Well, I really _ought_ to! _Alfred_ (_almost inaudibly, hitting himself on the chest_). Down, you little beggar, down! No, it's no use; the troll _will_ keep popping up! (_Aloud_) Can't we persuade you, dear MOPSA? Do stay--just to keep SPRETA company, you know! _Mopsa_ (_as if struggling with herself_). Oh, I want to so much! I'd do _anything_ to oblige dear SPRETA! _San. Eng. Bloch._ (_to himself, dejectedly_). She is just like that Miss HILDA WANGEL for making herself so perfectly at home! _Spreta_ (_resignedly_). Oh, _I_ don't mind. After all, I would rather ALFRED philandered than fretted and fussed here alone with me. You had better stay, and be our Little MOPSËMAN. It will keep ALFRED quiet--and that's _something_! _Mopsa._ No; it was only a temporary lapse. I keep on forgetting that I am no longer an emotional Cuckoo heroine. I am perfectly respectable. And I will prove it by leaving with Mr. BLOCHDRÄHN at once--if he will be so obliging as to escort me? _San. Eng. Bloch._ Delighted, my dear Miss MOPSA, at so unexpected a bit of good luck. We've only just time to catch the steamer.