SALA
Then you must have been a very small girl indeed.
JOHANNA
She played a Spanish princess.
SALA
Unfortunately. For princesses were not at all in her line. She has never in her life been able to treat verse properly.
REUMANN
And you can still bear that in mind, Mr. von Sala—that some lady on some occasion happened to handle your verse badly?
SALA
Well, why shouldn't I, my dear Doctor? If you were living at the center of the earth, you would know that all things are of equal weight. And were you floating in the center of the universe, you would suspect that all things are of equal importance.