GERDA. What can I do to rehabilitate you?
MASTER. You? What could you do? That's something I can only do myself. [For a long time they gaze intently at each other] And for that matter, I have already got my rehabilitation. [Pause.
GERDA. Can't I make good in some way? Can't I ask you to forgive, to forget——
MASTER. What do you mean?
GERDA. To restore, to repair——
MASTER. Do you mean to resume, to start over again, to reinstate a master above me? No, thanks! I don't want you.
GERDA. And this I had to hear!
MASTER. Well, how does it taste? [Pause.
GERDA. That's a pretty centrepiece.
MASTER. Yes, it's pretty.