GUSTAV. It's very simple: I possess three known factors, and with their help I figure out the unknown one. What did you say to her?
ADOLPH. I said—two words only, but they were dreadful, and I regret them—regret them very much.
GUSTAV. Don't do it! Tell me now?
ADOLPH. I said: "Old flirt!"
GUSTAV. What more did you say?
ADOLPH. Nothing at all.
GUSTAV. Yes, you did, but you have forgotten it—perhaps because you don't dare remember it. You have put it away in a secret drawer, but you have got to open it now!
ADOLPH. I can't remember!
GUSTAV. But I know. This is what you said: "You ought to be ashamed of flirting when you are too old to have any more lovers!"
ADOLPH. Did I say that? I must have said it!—But how can you know that I did?