v. Tietz.
The lady you are expecting is Frau von Yburg?
Ebeling.
Of course you know that I've been the Yburg's legal adviser for years.
v. Tietz (_sitting down_).
Well, really, this is quite a marvellous coincidence. It's on account
of the Yburgs that I've come to see you.
Ebeling (_interested_).
Is that so? What's the matter?
v. Tietz.
My dear friend, if you hadn't so completely drawn away from all society
since your wife l---- (_alarmed._) I beg your pardon.
Ebeling.
Go on! Say it! Left me! Walked out of the house! You may say it. But
then--drop it! Even our old fraternity friendship doesn't oblige us to
be everlastingly putting each other on the grill.
v. Tietz.
No, really--it escaped me somehow. I'm awfully sorry.
Ebeling.
Oh, well, never mind. You know, I speak of it quite disinterestedly.
And it's a good many years since then. Only--I'd rather not be attacked
unawares.
v. Tietz.
Don't worry. I'll be on my guard. But--as we've mentioned it--there's
something I wanted to ask you before--only I hadn't the courage. Tell
me, do you always keep her picture on your table?
Ebeling (_in a hard voice_).
Yes.
v. Tietz.
Then you still love her?
Ebeling.
No. I only keep the picture there to warn me against making a
fool of myself again. So many charming women sit there where you're
sitting, women just on the point of divorce--and therefore in
need of consolation. Every now and then one of them undertakes to
faint--um--and then I have to-- (_Holds out his arms._)
v. Tietz (_bursting out laughing_).
Aha! Very interesting! Very interesting!
Ebeling.
In short, it does no harm to keep the picture there.
v. Tietz.
Of course, everyone knows how much courted you are. For instance, no
matter when I come to see you, I always find those beautiful roses on
your table. They speak for themselves. Heavens! What a luxury! Roses in
January!
Ebeling.
Things like that come anonymously. If I knew who the sender was, I
wouldn't accept them.
v. Tietz.
Let me with all due modesty give you a piece of advice: you ought to
marry.
Ebeling.
(_Ironically, shaking his finger at him across the table._) Thank you.
But didn't you want to speak to me about the Yburgs?