against the corpse-washer.

LULU. You needn't be afraid that you will be washed once more.

SCHIGOLCH. Doesn't matter, either. One gets dirty again.

LULU. (Sprinkling him.) It would call you back to life again!

SCHIGOLCH. We are mud.

LULU. I beg your pardon! I rub grease into myself every day and then
powder on top of it.

SCHIGOLCH. Probably worth while, too, on the dressed-up mucker's
account.

LULU. It makes the skin like satin.

SCHIGOLCH. As if it weren't just dirt all the same!

LULU. Thank you. I wish to be worth biting at!

SCHIGOLCH. We are. Give a big dinner down below there pretty soon. Keep
open house.

LULU. Your guests will hardly over-eat themselves at it.

SCHIGOLCH. Patience, girl! Your worshippers won't put you in alcohol,
either. It's "schoene Melusine" as long as it keeps buoyant. Afterwards?
They don't take it at the zoological garden. (Rising.) The gentle
beasties might get stomach-cramps.

LULU. (Getting up.) Have you enough?

SCHIGOLCH. There's still enough left over to plant a juniper on my
grave. I'll find my own way out. (Exit. Lulu follows him, and presently
returns with Dr. Schoen.)

SCHOEN. What's your father doing here?

LULU. What's the matter?

SCHOEN. If I were your husband that man would never come over my
threshold.

LULU. You can speak intimately. He's not here. (Referring to Schwarz.)

SCHOEN. Thank you, I'd rather not.

LULU. I don't understand.

SCHOEN. I know that. (Offering her a seat.) I should like to speak with
you just on that subject.

LULU. (Sitting down uncertainly.) Why didn't you tell me so yesterday,
then?

SCHOEN. Please, nothing now about yesterday. I did tell you two years
ago.

LULU. (Nervously.) Oh, yes,--Hm!

SCHOEN. Please be kind enough to cease your visits to my house.

LULU. May I offer you an elixir--

SCHOEN. Thanks. No elixir. Have you understood me? (Lulu shakes her
head.) Good. You have the choice. You force me to the most extreme
measures:--either act in accordance with your station--

LULU. Or?

SCHOEN. Or--you compel me--I should have to turn to that person who is
responsible for your behavior.

LULU. What makes you imagine that?

SCHOEN. I shall request your husband, himself to watch over your ways.
(Lulu rises, goes up the steps, right.) Where are you going?

LULU. (Calls thru the curtains.) Walter!

SCHOEN. (Springing up.) Are you mad?

LULU. (Turning round.) Aha!

SCHOEN. I have made the most sup