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.

Thekla [playing with him]. Well, come and bite me; come.

[She holds out her arms towards 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 chimneypiece.]

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!