R. GOLL. (Before the picture.) One can see that you have been
transformed profoundly.

LULU. But now you mustn't let her wait any longer.

SCHOEN. In a fortnight I think the engagement will come out.

DR. GOLL. (To Lulu.) Let's lose no time. Hop!

LULU. (To Schoen.) Just think, we came at a trot over the new bridge. I
was driving, myself.

DR. GOLL. (As Schoen prepares to leave.) No, no. We two will talk some
more later. Get along, Nellie. Hop!

LULU. Now you're going to talk about me!

DR. GOLL. Our Apelles is already wiping his brushes.

LULU. I had imagined it would be much more amusing.

SCHOEN. But you have always the satisfaction of preparing for us the
greatest and rarest pleasure.

LULU. (Going left.) Oh, just wait!

SCHWARZ. (Before the bedroom door.) If madame will be so kind....
(Shuts the door after her and stands in front of it.)

DR. GOLL. I christened her Nellie, you know, in our marriage-contract.

SCHOEN. Did you?--Yes.

DR. GOLL. What do you think of it?

SCHOEN. Why not call her rather Mignon?

DR. GOLL. That would have been good, too. I didn't think of that.

SCHOEN. Do you consider the name so important?

DR. GOLL. Hm.... You know, I have no children.

SCHOEN. But you've only been married a couple of months.

DR. GOLL. Thanks, I don't want any.

SCHOEN. (Having taken out his cigarette-case.) Have a cigarette?

DR. GOLL. (Helps himself.) I've plenty to do with this one. (To
Schwarz.) Say, what's your little danseuse doing now?

SCHOEN. (Turning round on Schwarz.) You and a danseuse?

SCHWARZ. The lady was sitting for me at that time only as a favor. I
made her acquaintance on a flying trip of the Cecilia Society.

DR. GOLL. (To Schoen.) Hm.... I think we're getting a change of
weather.

SCHOEN. The toilet isn't going so quickly, is it?

DR. GOLL. It's going like lightning! Woman has got to be a virtuoso in
her job. So must we all, each in his job, if life isn't to turn to
beggary. (Calls.) Hop, Nellie!

LULU. (Inside.) Just a second!

DR. GOLL. (To Schoen.) I can't get onto these blockheads. (Referring to
Schwarz.)

SCHOEN. I can't help envying them. These blockheads know nothing holier
than an altar-cloth, and feel richer than you and me with 30,000-mark
incomes. Besides, you can't be judge of a man who from childhood has
lived from palette to mouth. Try to get at his finances: it's an
arithmetic example! I haven't the moral courage, and one can easily
burn one