but look - I must have come to you as a friend in need.
MARGARET: Yes, that is indeed, true, Clem,Clem- (They
embrace).
CLHENS: Why are you laughing?
MARGARET: something just occurred to me.
AMENS: Well?
ARGARET: "As I hung about your neck"
CLEMENS: I beg of you; can't you let me keep my illu¬
sions?
MARGARET: Tell me Clemens, would'nt you be proud of your
beloved, your wife, were a great and celebrated write?
CLEMENS: I have already told you that as far as I am
concerned - you may consider me stupid in that respect -
but let me assure you that if, loving me as you do today,
you should begin to write poens again, or have them printed,
thes telling the world of our love, our marriage would come to
naught; I would leave you then and there.
MARGARET: And this from a man who has had a dezen well
known affairs.
CLEMENS: known, or not known, I told no one of them. If
anyone did hang about my neck, I didn't have it printed,
so that anyone with a gulden and a half could know of it;
that's it. I know there are people who live by such
means, but I consider it very undignified. I tell you it