m!... Have we founded our life upon old
customs?

PAUL (embittered). If we only had!

HELLA (looks at him sharply). Do you think so?

PAUL. Yes, possibly we should have fared better.

HELLA (very emphatically). And then, my dear, I will tell you one thing
more. You are compelling me to do so.

PAUL. And that is?

HELLA. I don't care to lie.

PAUL. What do you mean by that?

HELLA. I don't care to feign, to these people, feelings that are
entirely absent. That is why I am going upstairs.

PAUL (very calmly). Does that refer to ... the dead?

HELLA. Yes, it does! I did not know _him_ and he did not know _me_!
Did not care to know me. What obligations remain for me? None at all.

PAUL. Are you serious?

HELLA (bolt upright). In all seriousness. Now it is out.

PAUL (quite calm). Very well, then go!

HELLA. I'll see you later. (She goes toward the right.)

PAUL (struggles for composure, then suddenly). Hella! For _my_ sake ...
Do _not_ go. Stay here!

HELLA (turns to him). No, Paul, one should not force himself to do such
things. Put the responsibility upon your father! I am not to blame. I
am only acting as I must. You would do the same. [Off at the right.]

PAUL (beside himself). It's well that you are reminding me of that.

AUNT CLARA (approaches). Shall I remove your wife's plate?

PAUL. Yes, take the plate away.

AUNT CLARA. Have you seen the Laskowskis?

PAUL. Yes, at the cemetery, Auntie. I shall go now and call the guests.
(Goes off.)

[AUNT CLARA walks toward the right, shaking her head, then pulls
the bell.]

LENE (comes in from the right, behind the scene). What is it. Miss
Clara?

AUNT CLARA. Have the soup brought in! It will take me some time to fill
all of the plates, anyhow.

LENE. Very well!

AUNT CLARA. Now where are you to serve? And where is the coachman to
serve? You haven't forgotten?

LENE. I am to serve on the right and the coachman on the left. Is that
right?

AUNT CLARA. Yes, you may go! And don't forget, all serving is to be
done by way of the green room! Be sure not to come in from this side!
[LENE goes off.]

[AUNT CLARA retires to the background, where she is occupied for
some time, without being very much in evidence. The door at the
right is opened.]

PAUL (still hidden to view). Come in, ladies and gentlemen! In this
way! (VON TIEDEMANN, MRS. VON TIEDEMANN, DR. BODENSTEIN, RAABE, father
and son, MERTENS, KUNZE, MRS. BOROW