You have a great influence over him.

BERTHA

You want him to remain here.

ROBERT

Yes.

BERTHA

Why?

ROBERT

For your sake because you are unhappy so far away. For his sake too because he should think of his future.

BERTHA

(Laughing.) Do you remember what he said when you spoke to him last night?

ROBERT

About...? (Reflecting.) Yes. He quoted the Our Father about our daily bread. He said that to take care for the future is to destroy hope and love in the world.

BERTHA

Do you not think he is strange?

ROBERT

In that, yes.

BERTHA

A little-- mad?

ROBERT

(Comes closer.) No. He is not. Perhaps we are. Why, do you...?

BERTHA

(Laughs.) I ask you because you are intelligent.

ROBERT

You must not go away. I will not let you.

BERTHA

(Looks full at him.) You?

ROBERT

Those eyes must not go away. (He takes her hands.) May I kiss your eyes?

BERTHA

Do so. (He kisses her eyes and then passes his hand over her hair.)

ROBERT

Little Bertha!

BERTHA

(Smiling.) But I am not so little. Why do you call me little?

ROBERT

Little Bertha! One embrace? (He puts his arm around her.) Look into my eyes again.

BERTHA

(Looks.) I can see the little gold spots. So many you have.

ROBERT

(Delighted.) Your voice! Give me a kiss, a kiss with your mouth.

BERTHA

Take it.

ROBERT

I am afraid. (He kisses her mouth and passes his hand many times over her hair.) At last I hold you in my arms!

BERTHA

And are you satisfied?

ROBERT

Let me feel your lips touch mine.

BERTHA

And then you will be satisfied?

ROBERT

(Murmurs.) Your lips, Bertha!

BERTHA

(Closes her eyes and kisses him quickly.) There. (Puts her hands on his shoulders.) Why don't you say: thanks?

ROBERT

(Sighs.) My life is finished-- over.

BERTHA

O, don't speak like that now, Robert.

ROBERT

Over, over. I want to end it and have done with it.

BERTHA

(Concerned but lightly.) You silly fellow!

ROBERT

(Presses her to him.) To end it all-- death. To fall from a great high cliff, down, right down into the sea.

BERTHA

Please, Robert...

ROBERT

Listening to music and in the arms of the woman I love-- the sea, music and death.

BERTHA

(Looks at him for a moment.) The woman you love?

ROBERT

(Hurriedly.) I want to speak to you, Bertha-- alone-- not here. Will you come?

BERTHA

(With downcast eyes.) I too want to speak to you.

ROBERT

(Tenderly.) Yes, dear, I know. (He kisses her again.) I will speak to you; tell you all; then. I will kiss you, then, long long kisses-- when you come to me-- long long sweet kisses.

BERTHA

Where?

ROBERT

(In tone of passion.) Your eyes. Your lips. All your divine body.

BERTHA

(Repelling his embrace, confused.) I meant where do you wish me to come.

ROBERT

To my house. Not my mother's over there. 1 will write the address for you. Will you come?

BERTHA

When?

ROBERT

Tonight. Between eight and nine. Come. I will wait for you tonight. And every night. You will?

(He kisses her with passion, holding her head between his hands. After a few instants she breaks from him.