Adolf. Not a soul. [THEKLA looks him up and down and sits down on the sofa.]
Thekla. Who sat here?
Adolf. Here? No one.
Thekla. Strange! The sofa is as warm as anything, and there’s the mark of an elbow in the cushion. Have you had a lady visitor? [She stands up.]
Adolf. Me? You’re not serious.
Thekla.[Turns away from the square table and comes to ADOLF’S right.] How he blushes! So the little brother wants to mystify me a bit, does he? Well, let him come here and confess what he’s got on his conscience to his little wife. [She draws him to her. ADOLF lets his head sink on her breast; laughing.]
Adolf. You’re a regular devil, do you know that?
Thekla. No, I know myself so little.
Adolf. Do you never think about yourself?
Thekla.[Looking in the air, while she looks at him searchingly.] About myself? I only think about myself. I am a shocking egoist, but how philosophical you’ve become, my dear.