ALVA--I kissed her for the first time in her rustling bridal dress. But afterwards she didn’t remember it.... All the same, I believe she had thought of me even in my father’s arms. It can’t have been often with him: he had his best time behind him, and she deceived him with coachman and bootblack; but when she did give herself to him, then _I_ stood before her soul. That was the way, without my realizing it, that she acquired this dreadful power over me. SCHIGOLCH--There they are! [_Heavy steps are heard mounting the stairs._] ALVA--[_Starting up._] I will not endure it! I’ll throw the fellow out! SCHIGOLCH--[_Wearily picks himself up, takes_ ALVA _by the collar and cuffs him toward the left_.] Forward, forward! How is the young man to confess his trouble to her with us two sprawling round here? ALVA--But if he demands other things--low things--of her? SCHIGOLCH--If, well, if! What more will he demand of her? He’s only a man like the rest of us! ALVA--We must leave the door open. SCHIGOLCH--[_Pushing_ ALVA _in, right_.] Nonsense! Lie down! ALVA--I’ll hear it soon enough. Heaven spare him! SCHIGOLCH--[_Closing the door, from inside._] Shut up! ALVA--[_Faintly._] He’d better look out! [LULU _enters, followed by_ HUNIDEI, _a gigantic figure with a smooth-shaven, rosy face, sky-blue eyes, and a friendly smile. He wears a tall hat and overcoat and carries a dripping umbrella._] LULU--Here’s where I live. [HUNIDEI _puts his finger to his lips and looks at_ LULU _significantly. Then he opens his umbrella and puts it on the floor, rear, to dry._] Of course, I know it isn’t very comfortable here. [HUNIDEI _comes forward and puts his hand over her mouth_.] What do you mean me to understand by that? [HUNIDEI _puts his hand over her mouth, and his finger to his lips_.] I don’t know what that means. [HUNIDEI _quickly stops her mouth_. LULU _frees herself_.] We’re quite alone here. No one will hear us. [HUNIDEI _lays his finger on his lips, shakes his head, points at_ LULU, _opens his mouth as if to speak, points at himself and then at the door_.] Good Lord, he’s a monster! [HUNIDEI _stops her mouth; then goes rear, folds up his overcoat and lays it over the chair near the door; then comes down with a broad smile, takes_ LULU’s _head in both his hands and kisses her on the forehead. The door, right, half opens._] SCHIGOLCH--[_Behind the door._] He’s got a screw loose. ALVA--He’d better look out! SCHIGOLCH--She couldn’t have brought up anything drearier!