Ebeling.
Hush! (_Listens at the door, then pointing to the right._) May I ask
you to go out this door? You know your way.
Frau v. Yburg.
And please, please, spare her delicacy. You've no idea how pure she
is--in spite of----
Ebeling.
If I didn't know _that_-- (_Knocking. He opens the door, right._)
Good-bye.
(Frau v. Yburg _goes out._)
Ebeling.
Come in.
The Servant.
A young lady is outside. She wants to know whether her mother is still
here.
Ebeling.
(_Hurrying to the centre door--vivaciously._) Just fancy Fraeulein
Margot, your mother thought you'd no longer be coming, and has only
just left. (Margot _appears at the centre door, and stands there,
hesitating._) But won't you come in for a few moments?
Margot.
Gladly, if I may. (_Looking about irresolutely._) Only I don't know
whether I----
Ebeling.
What, my dear child?
Margot.
It isn't usually mamma's way to go off without me.
Ebeling.
Then I'll take you home myself. You need have no fears.
Margot.
Oh, I'm not afraid.
Ebeling (_inviting her to sit down_).
Won't you----?
Margot.
I'd like to look around a bit first; may I? I couldn't a while ago.
Ebeling.
I'm only too happy to think that you take some interest in my home.
Margot.
Dear me, mamma has so often told me about it. Of late years her visits
to you were our principal topic of conversation. I think I've known
every tiny nook here for a long, long time.
Ebeling.
Really?
Margot.
Oh, there's the stand with the horrible law books! (_Sighing._) Ah,
Herr Ebeling, everything in life is Law--and everything is in books.
Ebeling.
My dear young girl, the hardest laws are never to be found in books.
Margot.
Yes, you are right. The laws that drag us down to destruction are the
laws that we make for ourselves. And all those beautiful women! I
suppose one must be very beautiful to join them?
Ebeling (_parrying lightly_).
Most of them are clients who have presented me with their pictures as a
token of gratitude.
Margot.
Well, but I'm your client, too--and yet I should never dare to offer
you my picture in that way.
Ebeling.