Adolf. You’re right in that, as you are in everything else you say. I used to have it in the old days. But after 1 my marriage it seemed unnecessary. I was satisfied with the friend of my heart whom I had chosen. All the same I soon got into fresh set& t and made many new acquaintances. But then my wife got jealous. She wanted to have me quite to herself; but much worse than that, my friends wanted to have her quite to themselves—and so I was left out in the cold with my jealousy.
Gustav. You were predisposed to this illness, you know that. [He passes on the left behind the square fable, and comes to ADOLF’S left.]
Adolf. I was afraid of losing her—and tried to prevent it. Are you surprised at it? I was never afraid for a moment that she’d be unfaithful to me.
Gustav. What husband ever was afraid?
Adolf. Strange, isn’t it? All I troubled about was simply this —about friends getting influence over her and so being able indirectly to acquire” power over me—and I couldn’t bear that at all.
Gustav. So you and your wife didn’t have quite identical views?
Adolf. I’ve told you so much, you may as well know everything —my wife is an independent character. [GUSTAV laughs.] What are you laughing at, old man?
Gustav. Go on, go on. She’s an independent character, is she?
Adolf. She won’t take anything.-from me.
Gustav. But she does from everybody else?