lace.) Doctor, just
a word!

DR. BODENSTEIN. At your service, madam! (He straightens up promptly and
hastens to her.)

MRS. VON TIEDEMANN. I only wanted to ask about a trifling matter,
Doctor.

DR. BODENSTEIN. I shall be _delighted_, madam.

MRS. VON TIEDEMANN. But no one must hear us. (Both disappear to the
rear.)

MERTENS (has also stepped out from the recess of the fireplace, to
MRS. SCHNAASE). If you are willing to put up with me for the present,
madam?

MRS. SCHNAASE. Oh, thank you very much! But I might ...

MERTENS. Please, please, madam! May I offer you my arm? (He takes her
arm.)

JOSUPEIT (has rushed up to the two from the background). Too late! Just
my luck! _I_ was about to report!

MERTENS. You will have to get up a bit earlier the next time, my dear
fellow; _I_ shall take you to the table, madam.

JOSUPEIT (from the other side). Take me to the table dear, good madam!
I'll tell you something quite interesting too.

PAUL (has come forward with ANTOINETTE). We shall eat immediately, Mr.
Mertens.

MERTENS. Please, please, as concerns
me! (He escorts MRS. SCHNAASE.)

JOSUPEIT (catches sight of PAUL, suddenly assumes a funereal air). My
heartfelt sympathy, Mr. Warkentin! (He seizes his hand and shakes it.)

PAUL, (reserved). I thank you!
JOSUPEIT (is silent for a moment, then continues). Another man of honor
gone. (PAUL nods silently. JOSUPEIT again after a brief silence.)
Terribly sudden!

PAUL (nods again and says). But I must not detain you, Mr. Josupeit!

JOSUPEIT. Once more, my heartfelt sympathy!

[JOSUPEIT and the rest go off to the rear.]

PAUL (to ANTOINETTE who has stepped forward to the right near the
fireplace). You see, madam, that's the way of it! Just back from the
cemetery. One buried forever, and the next moment all of their thoughts
somewhere else. Joyous and of good cheer.

ANTOINETTE (stares into the fire, bitterly). Yes, that's the way of it!

PAUL. Life rolls on merrily. The dead are dead. We shall have the same
fate some day, madam.

ANTOINETTE. Of course we shall. It is immaterial to me.

PAUL (looks at her). Really?

ANTOINETTE. It does not matter to me, whether it comes today or
tomorrow. Sometime I shall have to go! So the quicker the better. It is
all over with me!

PAUL. Antoinette!

ANTOINETTE. You may believe me, I am quite serious!

PAUL (completely absorbed, as he looks at her). How calmly you
say that! In the very bloom of life! I cann