our love for me. (Schoen's face twitches, he signs to her to go
out in front of him. Both exeunt lower right. Countess Geschwitz
cautiously opens the rear door, ventures forth, and listens. Hearing
voices approaching in the gallery above her, she starts suddenly.)

GESCHWITZ. Oh dear, there's somebody-- (Hides behind the fire-screen.)

SCHIGOLCH. (Steps out from the curtains onto the stairs, turns back.)
Has the youngster left his heart behind him in the "Nightlight" cafe?

RODRIGO. (Between the curtains.) He is still too small for the great
world, and can't walk so far on foot yet. (He disappears.)

SCHIGOLCH. (Coming down the stairs.) God be thanked we're home again at
last! What damned skunk has waxed the stairs again? If I have to have
my joints set in plaster again before being called home, she can just
present me between the palms here to her relations as the Venus de'
Medici. Nothing but steep rocks and stumbling blocks!

RODRIGO. (Comes down the stairs, carrying Hugenberg in his arms.) This
thing has a royal police-captain for a father and not as much courage
in his body as the raggedest hobo!

HUGENBERG. If there was nothing more to it than life and death, then
you'd soon learn to know me!

RODRIGO. Even with his lover's woe, little brother don't weigh more
than sixty kilos. I'll let myself be hung on that statement any time.

SCHIGOLCH. Throw him up to the ceiling and catch him by the feet.
That'll whip his young blood into the proper rhythm right from the
start.

HUGENBERG. (Kicking his legs.) Hooray, hooray, I shall be expelled from
school!

RODRIGO. (Setting him down at the foot of the stairs.) You've never
been to any sensible school at all yet.

SCHIGOLCH. Here many a man has already won his spurs. Only, no
timidity! First, I'll set before you a drop of what can't be had
anywhere for money. (Opens a cupboard under the stairs.)

HUGENBERG. Now if she doesn't come dancing in on the instant, I'll
wallop you two so you'll still rub your tails in the hereafter.

RODRIGO. (Seated left of the table.) The strongest man in the world
little brother will wallop! Let mamma put long trowsers on you first.
(Hugenberg sits opposite him.)

HUGENBERG. I'd rather you lent me your mustache.

RODRIGO. Maybe you want her to throw you out of the door straight off?

HUGENBERG. If I only knew now what the devil I was going to say to her!

RODRIGO. That she knows best herself.

SCHIGOLCH. (Putting two bottles