Unfortunately it's already twelve years ago. And it wasn't my fault. For my opinion in regard to his so-called poetry is, that it's nonsense. And I am not the only one who thinks so, as you know. But you don't know him, of course. To appreciate that gentleman in all his glory, you must have enjoyed him at a rehearsal. (_Imitating Sala_) Oh, madam, that's verse--it's verse, dear madam.... Only when you have heard that kind of thing from him can you understand how limitless his arrogance is.... And everybody knows, by the way, that he killed his wife. JULIAN (_amused_) But, girl, who in the world put such horrible ideas into your head? IRENE Oh, people don't die willy-nilly like that, at twenty-five.... JULIAN I hope, Irene, that you don't talk like this to other people? IRENE What would be the use? Everyone knows it but you. And I for my part have no reason to spare Mr. von Sala, who for twenty years has pursued me with his jeers. JULIAN And yet you are going to call on him? IRENE Of course. Beautiful villas interest me very much. And they tell me his is ravishing. If you were only to see people who.... JULIAN Hadn't killed anybody.... IRENE Really, we show him too much honor in talking so long about him. That ends it.--Well, Julian? How goes it? Why haven't you written me oftener? Is it possible you didn't dare? JULIAN Dare...? IRENE Were you forbidden, I mean? JULIAN I see.--Nobody can forbid me anything. IRENE Honestly? You live all by yourself? JULIAN Yes. IRENE I'm delighted. I can't help it, Julian, but I am delighted. Although it's sheer nonsense. This day, or the next, there'll be something new going on. JULIAN Those days are past. IRENE If it were only true!--Can I have a cup of tea? JULIAN Certainly. The samovar is right there. IRENE Where?--Oh, over there. And the tea?--Oh, I know! (_She opens a small cupboard and brings out what she needs; during the next few minutes she is busy preparing the tea_) JULIAN So you are really going to stay here only a couple of days more? IRENE Of course. I have done all my ordering. You understand, in my sister's house out there one doesn't need to dress up. JULIAN Tell me about it. How do you like it out there? IRENE Splendidly. Oh, it's bliss merely to hear nothing more about the theater. JULIAN And yet you'll return to it sometime. IRENE