hear the carriage on the road.

AUNT CLARA (busily). After all they came sooner than we expected!
Hurry, Zindel, they are driving up now.

INSPECTOR ZINDEL (already at the door on the right, swinging the
lantern). This minute, Miss Clara ...!

[Goes off.]

AUNT CLARA (also on the way to the door, stops a moment and folds her
hands). If he really _is_ here, praise and thanks to God!

LENE (appears in the door at the right). They are coming, Miss Clara,
they are coming!

AUNT CLARA (busy again). Why are you still there? Out with you and help
the guests take off their wraps!

LENE. Why, I'm doing that very thing, Miss!

[Goes off.]

AUNT CLARA (calling after her). And keep the coffee in readiness, when
I ring.

[She also goes out at the right, leaves the door slightly open behind
her. Voices are heard outside. Brief silence. Then the door is opened
wide. PAUL, HELLA, VON GLYSZINSKI, AUNT CLARA appear in the door. PAUL
has taken off his coat and hat outside. HELLA wears a fur coat and
toque. GLYSZINSKI wears a hat and heavy winter overcoat, turned up over
his ears.]

GLYSZINSKI Well, if it's all right with you, I prefer to go to my room
for the present.

PAUL. As you please. Aunt Clara will show you the way upstairs. Won't
you, Auntie?

AUNT CLARA. Yes, I'll be glad to show the gentleman up.

PAUL (smiling). Or aren't the guest-rooms upstairs any more?

AUNT CLARA (reproachfully). Why, my boy, we should certainly not think
of changing the rooms around. They are very satisfactory and then
they've been there so long.

PAUL (as before). Why, of course. They have been there so long!

GLYSZINSKI. Shall we go?

AUNT CLARA (places her hand on PAUL'S shoulder). You will find, Paul,
everything here is pretty much as of old. Just make yourself
comfortable! I shall be back directly. (To GLYSZINSKI.) Please, will
you come this way? (She points toward the outside. The two go out. The
door is closed behind them.)

PAUL (who, until now, has not faced the hall, remains standing in
astonishment). Well, the chandelier in full splendor. (Meditating.) The
old chandelier. Heavens, how sacred it was to me when I was a boy. It
was fine of Aunt Clara to light the chandelier.

HELLA (meanwhile has slowly walked through the hall, scrutinizing
various things, sits down on the arm of a chair near the sofa, still
wearing her cloak and toque and keeping her muff in her hand as if she
were on the point of departing