Erdgeist (Earth-Spirit)
Book Excerpt
SCHÖN. (Turning round on Schwarz.) You and a danseuse?
SCHWARZ. The lady was sitting for me at that time only as a favor. I made her acquaintance on a flying trip of the Cecilia Society.
DR. GOLL. (To Schön.) Hm.... I think we're getting a change of weather.
SCHÖN. The toilet isn't going so quickly, is it?
DR. GOLL. It's going like lightning! Woman has got to be a virtuoso in her job. So must we all, each in his job, if life isn't to turn to beggary. (Calls.) Hop, Nellie!
LULU. (Inside.) Just a second!
DR. GOLL. (To Schön.) I can't get onto these blockheads. (Referring to Schwarz.)
SCHÖN. I can't help envying them. These blockheads know nothing holier than an altar-cloth, and feel richer than you and me with 30,000-mark incomes. Besides, you can't be judge of a man who from childhood has lived from palette to mouth. Try to get at his finances: it's an arithmetic example! I haven't the moral courage,