and three glasses on the table.) I
started in on one of them yesterday. (Fills the glasses.)

RODRIGO. (Guarding Hugenberg's.) Don't give him too much, or we'll both
have to pay for it.

SCHIGOLCH. (Supporting himself with both hands on the table-top.) Will
the gentlemen smoke?

HUGENBERG. (Opening his cigarette case.) Havana-imported!

RODRIGO. (Helping himself.) From papa police-captain?

SCHIGOLCH. (Sitting.) Everything in the house is mine. You only need to
ask.

HUGENBERG. I made a poem to her yesterday.

RODRIGO. What did you make to her?

SCHIGOLCH. What did he make to her?

HUGENBERG. A poem.

RODRIGO. (To Schigolch.) A poem.

SCHIGOLCH. He's promised me a dollar if I can spy out where he can meet
her alone.

HUGENBERG. Just who does live here?

RODRIGO. Here =we= live!

SCHIGOLCH. Jour fix--every stock-market day! Our health. (They clink.)

HUGENBERG. Should I read it to her first, maybe?

SCHIGOLCH. (To Rodrigo.) What's he mean?

RODRIGO. His poem. He'd like to stretch her out and torture her a
little first.

SCHIGOLCH. (Staring at Hugenberg.) His eyes! His eyes!

RODRIGO. His eyes, yes. They've robbed her of sleep for a week.

SCHIGOLCH. (To Rodrigo.) You can have yourself pickled.

RODRIGO. We can both have ourselves pickled! Our health, gossip Death!

SCHIGOLCH. (Clinking with him.) Health, jack-in-the-box! If it's still
better later on, I'm ready for departure at any moment; but--but--
(Lulu enters right, in an elegant Parisian ball-dress, much decollete,
with flowers in breast and hair.)

LULU. But children, children, I expect company!

SCHIGOLCH. But I can tell you what, those things must cost something
over there! (Hugenberg has risen. Lulu sits on the arm of his chair.)

LULU. You've fallen into pretty company! I expect visitors, children!

SCHIGOLCH. I guess I've got to stick something in there, too. (He
searches among the flowers on the table.)

LULU. Do I look well?

SCHIGOLCH. What are those you've got there?

LULU. Orchids. (Bending over Hugenberg.) Smell.

RODRIGO. Do you expect Prince Escerny?

LULU. (Shaking her head.) God forbid!

RODRIGO. So somebody else again--!

LULU. The prince has gone traveling.

RODRIGO. To put his kingdom up for auction?

LULU. He's spying out a fresh tribe in the neighborhood of Africa.
(Rises, hurries up the stairs, and steps into the gallery.)

RODRIGO. (To Schigolch.) He wanted to marry her originally.

SCHIGOLCH.