He sinks down in complete collapse.)

GLYSZINSKI (very uncomfortably). And you blame Hella for all that?

HELLA (a pen behind her ear, puts in her head and calls). Glyszinski!
Doctor! Why don't you come in! I want you to help me write a number of
letters. I shall dictate to you. (Withdraws again.)

GLYSZINSKI (with precipitation). Immediately, madam. (He runs to the
right.)

PAUL (raising his finger). You have been warned!

GLYSZINSKI (already at the door on the right). Some other time! I have
no time now!

[Goes off, the door closes again and is bolted on the other
side.]

PAUL (looks after him, then, after a pause). He is going the same
course! (Takes a few steps through the hall, remains standing before
the portraits on the wall, looks up at them for a long while, breathes
deeply and says, only just audibly): The Warkentins bring no luck!...
And they _have_ no luck!...

[He steps across to the spinet which is open, sits down, and
softly strikes a number of chords. AUNT CLARA comes in quickly
from the right, looks around.]

PAUL (sitting at the spinet). Well, Aunt Clara? (He lowers his hands
from the keys.)

AUNT CLARA (cautiously). It is well that you are here, my boy! (She
approaches.)

PAUL (absent-minded). Is there anything?...

AUNT CLARA (shaking her head). Why a person can't talk to your wife.
And that young man ... There's something about him too. Where in the
world are the two now?

PAUL (feigning indifference). There, in the other room, Aunt Clara.

AUNT CLARA. Do you suppose she will hear us?

PAUL. Oh no, Auntie! They are in the green room. The sun-parlor lies
between. And then ... when Hella is working, she doesn't hear anyhow.

AUNT CLARA. Those two! I do say! They just have to stay together the
whole day! But I was going to say ... Laskowskis ...

PAUL. What about Laskowski?

AUNT CLARA. Wonder whether we ought to send them an announcement?

PAUL. I don't care! Although I do not exactly consider it necessary.

AUNT CLARA. Just on account of the wife.

PAUL. Whose wife?

AUNT CLARA. Well, Mrs. Laskowski. Why, don't you know?

PAUL (turns around). Not a thing! Is Laskowski married?

AUNT CLARA. Why, Paul! Didn't he marry Antonie?

PAUL (recoils). Antoinette ...? Our Antoinette? And I am just finding
out about that!

AUNT CLARA. Well, I didn't know whether you cared to hear anything
about Antonie.

PAUL (approaches her and speaks to her in a