(The curtains part at the stair-head, and Lulu, supported by Schigolch, and in a black dress, slowly and wearily descends.)
SCHIGOLCH. Hui, old mold! We've still to get over the frontier to-day.
RODRIGO. (Glaring stupidly at Lulu.) Thunder of heaven! Death!
LULU. (Speaks, to the end of the act, in the gayest tones.) Slowly! You're pinching my arm!
RODRIGO. How did you ever get the shamelessness to break out of prison with such a wolf's face?!
SCHIGOLCH. Stop your snout!
RODRIGO. I'll run for the police! I'll give information! This scarecrow let herself be seen in tights?! The padding alone would cost two months' salary!—You're the most perfidious swindler that ever had lodging in Ox-butter Hotel!
ALVA. Kindly refrain from insulting the lady!
RODRIGO. Insulting you call that?! For this gnawed bone's sake I've worn myself away! I can't earn my own living! I'll be a clown if I can still stand firm under a broom-stick! But let the lightning strike me on the spot if I don't worm ten thousand marks a year for life out of your tricks and frauds! I can tell you that! A pleasant trip! I'm going for the police! (Exit.)
SCHIGOLCH. Run, run!