Alma. Heavens! How you act! This is going to be a regular cross-examination!

Robert. I'm going to ask you a lot of questions.

(Frau _and_ Herr Heinecke _group themselves about_ Alma's _chair_.

Michalski _sits on the work table_, Auguste _beside him on the stool._)

Alma. Go ahead! S'il vous plait. Monsieur!

Michalski. (_Aside to_ Auguste) This will be a nice mess!

Robert. How did you happen to discover this talent?

Alma. It comes like love--can't tell how!

Robert. (_Unpleasantly affected_) Hum--But someone must have told you about it!

(Alma _shrugs her shoulders._)

Frau Heinecke. Don't you remember, child? It was Herr Kurt that----

Robert. The young manager?

Heinecke. Certainly.

Robert. But how did he know----?

Frau Heinecke. He heard her singing--through the window on the court.

And the next thing, he said it was a sin and a shame that a voice like hers----

Robert. But why do you let Mother tell everything, Alma?

Auguste. (_To_ Michalski) She's so modest.

Alma. That a voice like mine should be wasted here in the alley--and that _I_ should not be wasted here in the alley, for that matter! It's really an imposition on you, Gnadiges Fraulein, he said!

Frau Heinecke. I heard that myself: "Gnadiges Fraulein!"

Heinecke. My daughter, yes sir!

Robert. Go ahead. Alma!

Alma. My parents took care of your brother, he said,--I'll take care of you!--Well, and then he found a teacher for me who held a _cercle musical_--that means a musical circle--made up of young ladies of the best families.--One is engaged to a lieutenant of the Hussars.

Robert. And what is the teacher's name?

Alma. (_Suspiciously_) What do you want to know for?

Robert. Because it can't be any secret!

Alma. Her name is Signora Paulucci.

Heinecke. (_Enthusiastically_) Real Italian!

Robert. (_Taking out his note-book_) And her address?

Alma. (_Quickly_) You don't need to go there. It's true!

Robert. Of course it's true. But I'd like to hear the teacher's own opinion about your voice. (Alma _looks quickly toward_ Auguste)

Auguste. You can go to her lesson with her tomorrow.

Alma. Yes, to-morrow!

Robert. Good! (_Gets up and walks back and forth excitedly_) I don't want to make you feel badly, dear, but I must admit I don't share your great hopes.

Heinecke. Eh?

Robert. How many a young girl is enticed into these things purely through ambition and vanity! And it's dangerous! More dangerous than you realize--Of course I am sure that the young manager has the highest and the n.o.blest of motives, but--Well, however that may be, to-morrow I'll hear myself what the teacher says, and if my doubts are groundless, I promise to take care of you myself, and we shan't rest a moment until you have reached the climax of your art! (Alma _takes the vase from the table and buries her face in the flowers_) Wouldn't it be strange if we were to owe everything--even this piece of good fortune--to the house of Muhlingk!

(Michalski _laughs mockingly._)

Alma. Mama, who sent me this bouquet?

Frau Heinecke. That's a welcome to--(_Indicates_ Robert) from the Gnadiges Fraulein!

Alma. Oh, from her! (_She puts down the vase_)

Robert. Wait a minute! One question! It seems that every time I mention the "Avenue" or any of the family, someone bursts out laughing, or makes some disapproving remark. Herr Muhlingk junior is the only one who seems to meet with your approval. Now, frankly, what have you against our benefactor? What has he done to offend you? (_A pause_) You, for instance. Brother-in-law, what made you laugh so scornfully?

(_Silence_) Or you. Alma, that you won't have anything to do with the flowers that came from Miss Muhlingk! Mother just told me how kind she has always been!

Alma. Kind, is she? She's a stuck-up thing, that can't poke her nose high enough in the air when she meets me!--Never says a word to me; why, it's all she can do to return my bow! Oh, she----!

Auguste. She's the same way to me.

Robert. (_Sorrowfully, to himself_) That isn't like her!

Frau Heinecke. (_Tenderly_) Just wait till she marries my boy!

Robert. (_Shocked,--interrupting her_) Mother! But I'd forgotten: I've brought some presents for my sisters, and you, too, Brother-in-law.

Auguste. (_Jumping up greedily_) What have you got? Where is it?

Robert. In the bed-room. There's a card with each one's name on it.