le should become
sensible sometime.

PAUL (with increasing excitement). You always were! Why, I don't know
you any other way.

HELLA. You must have liked it well enough.

PAUL (bursting out). Yes I probably did ...! At that time! Because I
was a fool!

HELLA (picks up her book again, turns as if to go away). Now you are
becoming abusive! Good-by, I have work to do!

PAUL (intercepts her). Hella! I am coming to you with an overflowing
heart! I have a yearning to be alone with you, once, only once; I am
almost desperate for a heart to heart talk ...

GLYSZINSKI (who has silently followed the scene from the sofa,
presumably engrossed in his book, but at times has cast over a furtive
glance, makes a motion as if to rise). If I'm disturbing you, you only
need to say so ...

HELLA. Do not be funny, doctor. You do know that I wanted to go to my
room some time ago. Please let me pass, Paul!

PAUL (has retreated, with an angry bow). You have plenty of room!
(Across to GLYSZINSKI) Hella is quite right. There is no longer any
occasion for you to go. (He goes to the fireplace and sits down facing
the fire.)

HELLA (remains in the centre of the hall a few moments longer, then
takes a step in the direction of PAUL, and speaks in a changed, gentler
voice). Paul! (PAUL does not stir).

HELLA (urgently). Paul!

PAUL. That's all right!

HELLA. Oh, is it! Very well! (She turns away abruptly, goes over toward
the right, opens the door and turns around, saying curtly). I wish to
work, so please do not disturb me. (She goes out.)

PAUL (has become restless, gets up and calls). Hella! (One can hear how
the door is being locked on the other side.) As you please, then! (He
sits down again).

GLYSZINSKI (looking up from his book). Hella has locked the door.

[PAUL sets his teeth and is silent. Pause.]

GLYSZINSKI. Am I disturbing you?

PAUL (without turning around). I have already told you,
_no_! Not any longer, now!

GLYSZINSKI. So I _have_ been disturbing you?

PAUL. I'll leave that to _you_.

GLYSZINSKI. You would like to have me go away?

PAUL. Dear Glyszinski, _don't_ ask such stupid questions!

GLYSZINSKI. Well, I _should_ have gone long ago ...

PAUL (cutting). Indeed?

GLYSZINSKI. I can see very well how irksome I am to you.

PAUL. You are not at all irksome, dear Glyszinski, neither now nor
formerly. You are only funny.

GLYSZINSKI. You two admitted me to your household.

PAUL. Excuse me! _Hel