n interested manner). Why,
Auntie, one _is_ interested in the people who were once near and dear.

AUNT CLARA. Then, you didn't ask about her yesterday!

PAUL. Goodness, Aunt Clara! I didn't _want_ to ask!... After all, I'm
finding out soon enough!... Poor Antoinette!... Wasn't she able to find
any one else?...

AUNT CLARA. You had been gone a year and a half, Paul, and then they
got married.

PAUL (depressed). Well, well ...! That long ago? Then it has really
ceased to be news! How _does_ she look? (Bitterly.) I suppose quite...?
(He makes a significant derogatory gesture.)

AUNT CLARA. Don't say that, Paul! She can vie with the youngest and
most beautiful of them! She is in her very prime now! Just set her over
against your wife!

PAUL (embarrassed). Well, well! Hella is not exactly obliged to conceal
herself, it seems to me.

AUNT CLARA (eagerly). But oh, you should see Mrs. Laskowski!

PAUL (crabbed). Well, then old Laskowski may thank his stars. How in
all the world did Antoinette run into that fellow? I could never
_bear_ him!

AUNT CLARA. Have you forgotten _every_ thing Paul? Why, he was forever
after her, even when you were still here.

PAUL. Why, he is the greatest crook on God's green earth!

AUNT CLARA. At first Antonie didn't care a thing in the world for him,
but later she took him just the same, when it was all over with you.

PAUL (disdainfully). Of course he had his eye on her estate, the sly
rogue! I'd vouch for that.

AUNT CLARA (gleefully). Her estate, Grosz-Rukkoschin, went to him right
at her marriage. You know that belongs to her from her father's side.
_You_ might have that now, Paul.

PAUL (interested). Well, and how do the two get along? He and
Antoinette?

AUNT CLARA (shrugging her shoulders). Oh, Paul, what do I know about
it? They have no children.

PAUL (relieved). They haven't any children either? Well!

AUNT CLARA. They did have one, a girl! But they lost her.

PAUL. Lost her ... Well, well!... Hm! Antoinette!... Antoinette
Rousselle as Mrs. von Laskowski!... Could I have dreamed such a thing
when I was a sophomore with old Heliodor! (He shakes his head, burdened
with memories, then with a sudden change.) Well, of course, we shall
send the Laskowskis an announcement. We'll attend to that at once!
(Starts to go.)

AUNT CLARA (holds him by the arm). Never mind, Paul! I _have_ sent it.
Yesterday. I was certain it would be all right with you.

PAUL (forced to smile)