, to be sure, they seemed like
eternity. And strangely enough: terrible as the clash with father was,
when he found out what intentions I had and that I did not want to
remain with him and marry Antoinette and take over the estate some day.
Believe me.

AUNT CLARA, it was a relief in a sense, after all, when it had been
said, and father had forbidden me the house and I sat in the carriage
and drove away and was free for good. Yes for good! That is what I made
myself believe at the time and I fairly breathed with relief and
imbibed the crisp air! That must have been approximately this time of
the year. Why, certainly! Just about. It was at Christmas.

AUNT CLARA. Third holiday is when it was, Paul. I can still see you get
into the carriage. It gave me such a shock. I thought I'd fall over.

PAUL (caressing her). Good soul that you are! Yes you always took my
part ... (Interrupting himself.) Third holiday, you say, it took place?
(Striking his forehead.) Why that is today. Ten years ago today!

AUNT CLARA. This very day!

PAUL (goes back and forth excitedly). I say ... I say ... Ten years!
Horrible!

AUNT CLARA. And you see, my boy, all this time these candles have not
been lighted! (She points to the chandelier.) Just as they were put out
on Christmas Eve, they are in their places today.

PAUL (gloomily). So that is why you lighted the chandelier, Auntie?

AUNT CLARA. Yes, now that you are here again, it occurred to me that
the candles ought to be lighted again.

PAUL. I think we shall let that suffice. Broad daylight is already
peering through the shutters. (He points to the background where broad
daylight comes in through the heart-shaped apertures of the shutters,
then slowly puts out the candles, one by one.) Now then, let us put
them out!

AUNT CLARA (goes to the background and unscrews the shutters, opens
them, letting the daylight stream in, and puts out the lamp on the
commode). Praise the Lord! After all it has become daylight once more.

PAUL (has put out the candles and looks over at her). What do you mean
by that. Aunt Clara?

AUNT CLARA (having opened the shutters, comes forward again and
whispers). I was forced to think so much, because it was the first
night that your father has been dead and has been lying there in the
corner room.

PAUL (with suppressed feeling, after a short struggle). Will you not
tell me how father died?

AUNT CLARA. Oh, Paul what is there to tell about that? Didn't