HASSENREUTER
Very well, then: it was these pasteboard knights and all the other trash that surrounds them, that actually, after his hegira, kept the old rag-picker and costumer, Harro Eberhard Hassenreuter, above water. But let's speak of cheerful things: I saw with pleasure in the paper that his Excellency has engaged you for Berlin.
ALICE RÜTTERBUSCH
I don't care a great deal about it! I'd rather play for you, and you must promise me, whenever you undertake the management of a theatre again—you will promise, won't you?—that you'll let me break my contract right away? [The MANAGER laughs heartily.] I had to be annoyed quite enough for three long years by the barn-stormers of the provinces. Berlin I don't like, and a court theatre least of all. Lord, what people and what a profession it is! You know I belong to your collection—I've always belonged to it!
[She stands up primly among the pasteboard knights.
HASSENREUTER
Ha, ha, ha, ha! Well then, come to my arms, faithful knight!
[He opens his arms wide, she flies into them, and they now salute each other with long, continuous kisses.
ALICE RÜTTERBUSCH
Go on, Harro. Now tell me. How is your wife?