BEERMANN [excited]. But there must be some sort of reason back of all these reproaches?
FRAU BEERMANN. If you think them reproaches, then we do not understand each other.
BEERMANN. What else are they?
FRAU BEERMANN. I meant it merely as a request. Do not bring your family into ridicule.
BEERMANN. You are playing hide and seek all the time. In what way am I likely to do that?
FRAU BEERMANN. With your moral priesthood to which you have absolutely no right.
BEERMANN. No right?
FRAU BEERMANN. Not the slightest one. But you are creating enemies who will make a laughing-stock of us all, if they find out certain things. Those things can be found out whether we like it or not.
BEERMANN [forced laughter]. Lena dear, I believe you are jealous.
FRAU BEERMANN [quietly]. Jealous, of what? [Short pause.] I hope that you credit me with at least good taste enough not to be jealous of my so-called right, and ... otherwise what can I lose? No, Fritz, I am not jealous. [Short pause, it is getting darker.] I had to get accustomed to it; that's true. This secrecy, the petty lies and the false gravity irritated me a little bit too much at first, but I made an effort so that I could still retain a feeling of comradeship. I overcame it daily, because—well because I never really took you seriously. [Pause.]