Paula—There, you see. . . . Please don't bother about me.
Juhasz—Not at all. . . . [To Adolf.] Phone and tell her that I shan't be home for supper to-*night. I'll go to a restaurant. [Adolf exits through the archway.]
Paula—You are quite right. . . . The empty house and the vacant place at table. . . .
Juhasz—Not that, but . . . you see . . . my wife is very fond of asparagus . . . and it's out of season and hard to get. . . . This afternoon I got some . . . the first asparagus to arrive in the city. . . . And I sent it home . . . for supper . . . a surprise, you know. . . . Well . . . now . . . if I go home . . . what can I say to the maid?. . . Shall I stand there and be ashamed . . . of the asparagus? [A brief pause.] Or shall I eat it myself?
Adolf—[In the archway.] I am putting out the lights, Mr. Juhasz.
Juhasz—[To Paula, who is about to go.] One moment. [To Adolf.] Wait, my son, there is something I promised you. [He takes the toy steamship from under the counter, at right. He stands behind the counter. Adolf comes down in front of it.] Now, look here, my son. See this little lid? You lift it up like that. See?
Adolf—Yes, sir.
