Adolf. There was nothing for you to notice. There was never the slightest incident of that description.
Thekla. What do you mean?
Adolf. How could it have been possible for you to have seen something which wasn't there if your fear hadn't heated your imagination to so violent a pitch that you saw what never existed? As a matter of fact, what were you afraid of? That I might borrow another's eye so as to see you as you really were, not as you appeared to me?
Thekla. Keep your imagination in check, Adolf. Imagination is the beast in the human soul.
Adolf. Where did you get this wisdom from? From the pure youths on the steamer, eh?
Thekla [without losing her self-possession]. Certainly—even youth can teach one a great deal.
Adolf. You seem for once in a way, to be awfully keen on youth?
Thekla [standing by the door in the center]. I have always been so, and that's how it came about that I loved you. Any objection?
Adolf. Not at all. But I should very much prefer to be the only one.
Thekla [coming forward on his right, and joking as though speaking to a child]. Let the little brother look here. I've got such a large heart that there is room in it for a great many, not only for him.