Rita (irritated): Yes, but then you ought to—(Breaks off.) Oh, it is not worth while.
Friedrich: How? I should have been man enough to say: No, I forbid it; that is a folly of age. I, your son, forbid it. I demand her for myself. The young fortune is meant for me—not for you?——No, Erna, I could not do that. I could not do that.
Rita: No.
Friedrich: I, the young clerk, with no future before me!
Rita: No!
Friedrich: My entire training and my conceptions urged me to consider it my duty to simply stand aside and stifle my affection, as I did—as I already told you even before any other person had an idea of the intentions of my father. I gradually grew away from you.
Rita (amused): Gradually—yes, I recollect. You suddenly became formal. Indeed, very nice!
Friedrich: I thought——
(Bertha comes with the coffee and serves.)
Rita: Will you take a cup with me?