Ouch! You are dropping wax on me. Look, why aren’t you more careful?

Poet

(Puts the candle away) You are that for which I have long sought. You love me for my own sake. You would love me even if I were only a counter-jumper. That’s balm to one’s heart. I must confess I was suspicious until this moment. Tell me, honestly, you didn’t have any notion that I am Biebitz?

Miss

Oh, pshaw, I don’t even know what you are talking about. I never heard of any Biebitz.

Poet

What is fame! No, forget what I have told you. Forget even the name. I am Robert and I want to remain Robert to you. I was only joking. (Lightly) I am not a writer at all. I’m a clerk, and in the evening I play the piano in a dancehall.

Miss

But now I’m all mixed up … and the way you look at one. What is the matter, yes, what do you mean?

Poet