SCHÖN--[_Following_ ALVA _and_ GOLL.] We’ll take my carriage. It’s waiting downstairs. [_Exeunt._] SCHWARZ--[_Leans over to the right, and spits._] Pack!--If only life could end!--The bread-basket!--paunch and mug!--my artist’s pride has got its back up. [_After a look at_ LULU.] This company!--[_Gets up, goes up left, observes_ LULU _from all sides, and sits again at his easel_.] The choice would be a hard one to make. If I may request Mrs. Goll to raise the right hand a little higher. LULU--[_Grasps the crook as high as she can reach; to herself._] Who would have thought that was possible! SCHWARZ--I am quite ridiculous, you think? LULU--He’s coming right back. SCHWARZ--I can do no more than paint. LULU--There he is! SCHWARZ--[_Rising._] Well? LULU--Don’t you hear? SCHWARZ--Someone is coming.... LULU--I knew it. SCHWARZ--It’s the janitor. He’s sweeping the stairs. LULU--Thank Heaven! SCHWARZ--Do you perhaps accompany the doctor to his patients? LULU--Everything =but= that. SCHWARZ--Because, you are not accustomed to being alone. LULU--We have a housekeeper at home. SCHWARZ--She keeps you company? LULU--She has a lot of taste. SCHWARZ--What for? LULU--She dresses me. SCHWARZ--Do you go much to balls? LULU--Never. SCHWARZ--Then what do you need the dresses for? LULU--For dancing. SCHWARZ--You really dance? LULU--Czardas ... Samaqueca ... Skirt-dance. SCHWARZ--Doesn’t--that--disgust you? LULU--You find me ugly? SCHWARZ--You don’t understand me. But who gives you lessons then? LULU--Him. SCHWARZ--Who? LULU--Him. SCHWARZ--He? LULU--He plays the violin---- SCHWARZ--Every day one learns something new. LULU--I learned in Paris. I took lessons from Eugénie Fougère. She let me copy her costumes, too. SCHWARZ--What are =they= like? LULU--A little green lace skirt to the knee, all in ruffles, low-necked, of course, very low-necked and awfully tight-laced. Bright green petticoat, then brighter and brighter. Snow-white underclothes with a hand’s-breadth of lace.... SCHWARZ--I can no longer---- LULU--Then paint! SCHWARZ--[_Scraping the canvas._] Aren’t you cold at all? LULU--God forbid! No. What made you ask? Are you so cold? SCHWARZ--Not to-day. No. LULU--Praise God, one can breathe! SCHWARZ--How so?... [LULU _takes a deep breath_.] Don’t do that, please! [_Springs up, throws away his palette and brushes, walks up and down._] The bootblack has only her feet to attend to, at least! And his color doesn’t eat into his money, either. If I go without supper to-morrow, no little society lady will be asking me if I know anything about oyster-patties! LULU--Is he going out of his head? SCHWARZ--[_Takes up his work again._] What ever drove the fellow to this test? LULU--I’d like it better, too, if he had stayed here. SCHWARZ--We are truly the martyrs of our calling! LULU--I didn’t wish to cause you pain. SCHWARZ--[_Hesitating, to_ LULU.] If you--the left trouser-leg--a little higher---- LULU--Here?