SCENE III
[GUSTAV goes straight up to the table on the left and takes up a paper without apparently seeing THEKLA.]
Thekla.[Starts, then controls herself.] You? [She comes forward.]
Gustav. It’s me—excuse me.
Thekla.[On his left.] Where do you come from?
Gustav. I came by the highroad, but —I won’t stay on here after seeing that
Thekla. Oh, you stay Well, it’s a long time.
Gustav. You’re right, a very long time.
Thekla. You’ve altered a great deal, Gustav.
Gustav. But you, on the other hand, my dear Thekla, are still quite as fascinating as ever—almost younger, in fact. Please forgive me. I wouldn’t for anything disturb your happiness by my presence. If I’d known that you were staying here I would never have