Thekla. Let him call me his own dear little sweetheart, and I’ll get red all over before him, shall I?
Adolf.[Disarmed.] I’m so angry with you, you monster, that I should like to bite you. [He comes nearer to her.]
Thekla.[Playing with him.] Well, come and bite me; come. [She holds out her arms toward him.]
Adolf.[Takes her by the neck and kisses her.] Yes, my dear, I’ll bite you so that you die.
Thekla.[Joking.] Look out, somebody might come. [She goes to the fireplace on the right and leans on the chimney piece. ]
Adolf. Oh, what do I care if they do? I don’t care about anything in the whole world so long as I have you.
Thekla. And if you don’t have me any more?
Adolf.[Sinks down on the chair on the left in front of the circular table.] Then I die!
Thekla. All right, you needn’t be frightened of that the least bit: I’m already much too old, you see, for anybody to like me.
Adolf. You haven’t forgotten those words of mine?— I take them back.