(_The three_, Auguste _ahead, hurry into the bedroom._)
Heinecke. And you"ve got nothing for us?
Robert. There wasn"t anything out there good enough for you, dear parents. Tell me what you want?
Frau Heinecke. If I should see the day when I had a sofa to match them arm-chairs--(_She sees that_ Robert _is staring ahead without listening to her_) But you ain"t listening!
Robert. (_Sadly reproving_) No, mother, I wasn"t listening!
Heinecke. (_Defiantly_) And I want a new paste-pot--you ought to be able to afford that! (_The three come back from the bedroom_. Auguste _carries a colored shawl_, Alma _a jewel-case_, Michalski _a Turkish pipe. They surround_ Robert _and thank him_)
Auguste. What a pity they don"t wear Indian shawls any more!
Michalski. (_Puffing at the stem of his pipe_) Course it don"t draw!
Robert. (_To_ Alma, _who is playing with her jewels_) Are you satisfied, Alma? Look at the three blue stones, they are Indian sapphire.
Alma. Very pretty! But to tell the truth, I like the dark-blue sapphires more! They have such beautiful brilliancy!
Robert. How do you know so much about such things?
Alma. Oh--from the shop windows! People of our sort like to look in windows!
Robert. And what"s that shining in your ear?
Alma. Paste, that"s all! Two Marks a pair!
Robert. Dear, you mustn"t wear things like that!--Promise me you"ll take them off this minute--and I"ll show you another special surprise that I"ve brought you.
Alma. (_Sullenly, taking off the ear-rings_) As you please!
Robert. It"s the dress of a hindoo Princess--looted on a military invasion undertaken by a friend of mine. Think of it! Pink and gold!
Alma. (_Joyfully_) Oh, how heavenly!
Michalski. (_Laughing_) And I s"pose you hung her up stark naked on a tree!
(Robert _stares at him._)
Alma. (_Lovingly_) You"re a dear, sweet, old brother!
(_A coachman in livery knocks at the window._)
Frau Heinecke. Go, see what Johann wants, Father.
Alma. (_To_ Auguste) Oh, but they"ll all turn green with envy when I wear this to the masked ball to-morrow.
Auguste. Shh!
Heinecke. (_From the window_) Johann says Herr Kurt is going to drive to the city at three, and he wants to know if you"d like to go along.
(Alma _and_ Auguste _exchange glances._)
Robert. What does that mean?
Auguste. Simple enough! Herr Kurt has his carriage, and since he"s an obliging young man he gave Alma a standing invitation to ride to the city with him.
Robert. What? She allowed that? You, sister, you accepted that?
Alma. A poor girl ought to be glad enough to ride in a carriage once in a while!
Frau Heinecke. And you save car-fare!
Robert. Good heavens! And what do the ladies on the Avenue say to that?
Alma. Oh, they don"t know anything about it! When I ride with him he stops the carriage at the back doorway where only the tradespeople go in.
Robert. So much the worse! What a disgusting implication in all this secrecy! Alma, haven"t you felt that yourself?--Alma, come here!--Look me in the eyes.
Alma. (_Staring at him_) Well?
Robert. (_Takes her head in both his_) You are pure!--you are--(_He kisses her cheeks and forehead_)
Heinecke. Decide, now! Johann is waiting!
Robert. Tell Johann, Father, that I"ll speak to his master about it first.
Alma. What for? It"s all been arranged already.
Robert. You won"t use Herr Muhlingk"s carriage any more! For a girl of your--our position, there is always the street-car!
(Alma _begins to cry defiantly._)
Frau Heinecke. The poor child!
Auguste. You seem to want to turn everything in this house upside down!
(_Children"s voices are heard in the court._)
Heinecke. Come here!--Quick!--A Moor!--in a turban!