, my being an
artist certainly does not impose upon me the duty to help you to get
over being simple! Don't take it amiss. Well? Why are you looking away
now?

MISS COEURNE. I told you I was still very simple because that's the way
they like to have young girls here in Germany.

GERARDO. I am not a German, my child, but at the same time ...

MISS COEURNE. Well?--I am not so simple, after all.

GERARDO. I am no children's nurse either! That's not the right word, I
feel it, for--you are no longer a child, unfortunately?

MISS COEURNE. No!--Unfortunately!--Not now.

GERARDO. But you see, my dear young woman--you have your games of
tennis, you have your skating club, you may go bicycling or take
mountain trips with your lady friends. You may enjoy yourself swimming
or riding on horseback or dancing whichever you like. I am sure you
have everything a young girl could wish for. Then why do you come to
me?

MISS COEURNE. Because I hate all of that and because it's such a bore!

GERARDO. You are right; I won't dispute what you say. Indeed, you
embarrass me. I myself, I must frankly confess, see something else in
life. But, my child, I am a man and I am thirty-six years old. The time
will come when you may likewise lay claim to a deeper and fuller life.
Get two years older and, I am sure, the right one will turn up for you.
Then it will not be necessary for you to come unasked to me, that is to
say to one whom you do not know any more intimately than--all Europe
knows him--and to conceal yourself behind the window curtains in order
to get a taste of the higher life. (Pause. MISS COEURNE breathes
heavily.) Well?--Let me thank you cordially and sincerely for your
roses! (Presses her hand.) Will you be satisfied with that for today?

MISS COEURNE. As old as I am, I never yet gave a thought to a man until
I saw you on the stage yesterday as Tannhaeuser.--And I will promise
you ...

GERARDO. Oh please, child, don't promise me anything. How can a promise
you might make at the present time be of any value to me? The
disadvantage of it would be entirely yours. You see, my child, the most
loving father could not speak more lovingly to you than I. Thank a kind
providence for not having been delivered into some other artist's hands
by your indiscretion. (Presses her hand.) Let it be a lesson to you for
the rest of your life and be satisfied with that.

MISS COEURNE (covering her face with her handkerchief, in an undertone,
wi