Friedrich (rises importantly): Erna, answer me. What relationship existed between you and the Count?
Rita (laughs): What business is that of yours?
Friedrich (solemnly): Erna! Whatever it might have been, this will not do any longer.
Rita (gaily): No, no; you see it is already ended.
Friedrich: No, Erna, that must all be ended. You must get out of all this—entirely—and forever.
Rita (looks at him surprised and inquiringly): Hm! Strange person.
Friedrich (grows more eager and walks up and down in the room): Such a life is immoral. You must recognize it. Yes, and I forbid you to live on in this fashion. I have the right to demand it of you.
Rita (interrupts him sharply): Demand? You demand something of me?
Friedrich: Yes, indeed, demand! Not for me—no—in the name of morals. That which I ask of you is simply a moral demand, do you understand, a moral demand, which must be expected of every woman.