Adolf. Yes, almost.
Thekla. Well, look here. Wouldn't you like to make his acquaintance, so as to pour out your heart to him if you want to? What a charming picture! But I, too, begin to feel myself drawn to him somehow. I'm tired of being the nurse of a baby like you. [She goes a few steps forward and passes by Adolf on the right.] He at any rate was a man, even though he did make the mistake of being my husband.
Adolf. Hush, hush! But don't talk so loud, we might be heard.
Thekla. What does it matter, so long as we're taken for man and wife.
Adolf. So this is what it comes to then? You are now beginning to be keen both on manly men and pure boys.
Thekla. There are no limits to my keenness, as you see. And my heart is open to the whole world, great and small, beautiful and ugly. I love the whole world.
Adolf [standing up]. Do you know what that means?
Thekla. No, I don't know, I only feel.
Adolf. It means that old age has arrived.
Thekla. Are you starting on that again now? Take care!