Scene III.
[Gustav goes straight up to the table on the left and takes up a paper without apparently seeing Thekla.]
Thekla [starts, then controls herself]. You?
[She comes forward.]
Gustav. It's me—excuse me.
Thekla [on his left]. Where do you come from?
Gustav. I came by the highroad, but—I won't stay on here after seeing that—
Thekla. Oh, you stay—Well, it's a long time.
Gustav. You're right, a very long time.
Thekla. You've altered a great deal, Gustav.