TEKLA, No, I don't want to do that, and you are not sick enough to be kept from going with me.
ADOLPH. Why do you always want to drag me along? Do you feel safer then?
TEKLA. I don't know what you mean.
ADOLPH. That's what you always say when you know I mean something that—doesn't please you.
TEKLA. So-o! What is it now that doesn't please me?
ADOLPH. Oh, I beg you, don't begin over again—Good-bye for a while!
(Goes out through the door in the rear and then turns to the right.)
(TEKLA is left alone. A moment later GUSTAV enters and goes straight up to the table as if looking for a newspaper. He pretends not to see TEKLA.)
TEKLA. [Shows agitation, but manages to control herself] Oh, is it you?
GUSTAV. Yes, it's me—I beg your pardon!