AMADEUS No, of course not. The less so, as I don't quite see why I shouldn't go on helping you as before. CECILIA (_with a smile_) Oh, you think...? But then we should have to agree on hours and conditions. AMADEUS That was not meant as a joke, Cecilia. Seeing that we are parting in a spirit of perfect understanding, why shouldn't such an arrangement be considered tentatively at least? CECILIA Those things will probably settle themselves later on.... That we ... that you play my accompaniment at a concert ... or help me to study a part.... AMADEUS Why later on?... (_He rises and stands leaning against the piano_) There can be no reasonable ground for changing our musical relationships. I think both of us would suffer equally from doing so. Without overestimating myself, I don't think it likely that you can find a better coach than I am. And as for my compositions, I don't know of anybody who could understand them better--with whom I would rather discuss them than with you. CECILIA And yet that's what you will have to come to. AMADEUS I can't see it. After all, we have nobody else to consider--at least, I have not. CECILIA Nor have I. I shall know how to preserve my freedom. AMADEUS Well, then...?! CECILIA Nevertheless, Amadeus.... That we must meet and talk is made necessary by our positions, of course.... But even in regard to our work things cannot possibly remain as hitherto. I'm sure you must realize that. AMADEUS I can't see it. And--leaving our artistic relations entirely aside--there is much else to be considered--things of more importance. Our boy, Cecilia. Why should the youngster all at once be made fatherless, so to speak? CECILIA That's entirely out of the question. We must come to an understanding, of course. AMADEUS An understanding, you say. But why make difficulties that could be avoided by a little good-will? The boy is mine as much as yours. Why shouldn't we continue to bring him up together? CECILIA You suggest things that simply can't be done. AMADEUS I don't feel like you about that.--On the contrary! The more I consider our situation calmly, the more irrational it seems to me that we should part ways like any ordinary divorced couple ... that we should give up the beautiful home we have in common.... CECILIA Now you are dreaming again, Amadeus! AMADEUS We have been such good chums besides. And so we might remain, I think. CECILIA Oh, of course, we shall. AMADEUS