What are you sighing about so terribly?
The Princess
Tell me, wouldn't you like to have a closer acquaintance with your princess, sometime?
Strübel.
Closer? Why should I?--Isn't she close enough to me, my far-away princess?--for that's what I call her when I talk to myself about her. And to have her still closer?
The Princess.
Why, so that you could talk to her and know what she really was like.
Strübel (terrified).
Talk to her! Heaven forbid! Goodness gracious, no! Just see here--how am I to face a princess? I'm an ordinary fellow, the son of poor folks. I haven't polished manners--I haven't even a decent tailor. A lady like that--why, she'd measure me from top to toe in one glance.--I've had my lessons in the fine houses where I've applied as tutor. A glance from boots to cravat--and you're dismissed!
The Princess.