SCHÖN. How does that alter anything?
LULU. I was always afraid it would alter a great deal.
SCHÖN. It has, indeed, crushed a great deal underfoot.
LULU. But not one thing, praise God!
SCHÖN. Of that I should be covetous.
LULU. Your love for me. (Schön's face twitches, he signs to her to go out in front of him. Both exeunt lower right. Countess Geschwitz cautiously opens the rear door, ventures forth, and listens. Hearing voices approaching in the gallery above her, she starts suddenly.)
GESCHWITZ. Oh dear, there's somebody— (Hides behind the fire-screen.)
SCHIGOLCH. (Steps out from the curtains onto the stairs, turns back.) Has the youngster left his heart behind him in the "Nightlight" café?
RODRIGO. (Between the curtains.) He is still too small for the great world, and can't walk so far on foot yet. (He disappears.)
SCHIGOLCH. (Coming down the stairs.) God be thanked we're home again at last! What damned skunk has waxed the stairs again? If I have to have my joints set in plaster again before being called home, she can just present me between the palms here to her relations as the Venus de' Medici. Nothing but steep rocks and stumbling blocks!