Rita: Must?
Friedrich: Well, yes, we do so, at least. And when it is our own father! For, look here, Erna, I never would have been able to oppose my father! I was used, as you well know, from childhood to always look up to my father with the greatest respect. He used to be severe, my father, proud and inaccessible, but—if I may be permitted to say so, he was an excellent man.
Rita: Well?
Friedrich (eagerly): Yes, indeed! You must remember that it was he alone who established our business by means of his powerful energy and untiring diligence. Only now I myself have undertaken the management of the establishment. I am able to see what an immense work he has accomplished.
Rita (simply): Yes, he was an able business man.
Friedrich: In every respect! Ability personified, and he had grown to be fifty-two years of age and was still, still—how shall I say?
Rita: Still able.
Friedrich: Well, yes; I mean a vigorous man in his best years. For fifteen years he had been a widower, he had worked, worked unceasingly, and then—the house was well established—he could think of placing some of the work upon younger shoulders. He could think of enjoying his life once more.
Rita (softly): That is——
Friedrich (continuing): And he thought he had found, in you, the one who would bring back to him youth and the joy of life.