s. My trunks, books, all of my things are to be taken over to
the garden-house. Understand?

LENE (astonished). To the garden-house?

PAUL. Yes, to the pavilion. Put the rooms in proper order. Don't forget
to make a fire. I suppose there's a bed there for the night?

AUNT CLARA. Everything, my boy. Only it will have to be put to rights,
because no one has put up there this many a day.

LENE. Are the madam's things also to be ...?

PAUL. No they are _not_! They are to stay here!

[AUNT CLARA shakes her head and turns away.]

LENE. Shall I do so immediately ...?

PAUL. Is madam still asleep?

LENE. I think so.

PAUL. Then wait till madam is up, and go there afterward.

LENE. What if madam should ask ...?

PAUL. Then tell her that I requested you to do so.

LENE (confused). I'm to say that Mr. Warkentin has requested ...

PAUL (resolutely). And you are to do what I have requested. Do you
understand me?

LENE. Very well, sir!... And I was going to say, the inspector has been
here.

PAUL. Has he? Back from town already? (Struck by a sudden thought.) Did
he possibly have a letter for me?

LENE. I don't know. I think he only wanted to know about the work ...

PAUL. And there hasn't been a messenger? Say, from Klonowken?

LENE. No, nothing.

PAUL. Then you may go. Oh yes, when the inspector returns, you might
call me. (LENE goes off to the right.)

PAUL (walks through the hall, clenching his fists nervously). Nothing
yet? Nothing yet? And the day is almost gone!

AUNT CLARA (with growing anxiety). What's the matter with you, Paul?
Something is brewing here!

PAUL. That may be very true!

AUNT CLARA. And then, that you insist upon changing your quarters
today! It does seem to me ...!

PAUL. You can only take pleasure in that. You see by that, that I have
resolved to stay at Ellernhof. Or I should certainly not go to the
trouble.

AUNT CLARA. Yes, yes, but your wife?

PAUL. Who? Hella? All the better if the matter comes to a head. The
issue is dead ripe!

AUNT CLARA (approaches him anxiously). Paul, Paul! This will not come
to a good end.

PAUL. Quite possible. That is not at all necessary!

AUNT CLARA. And I am to blame for all.

PAUL. You? Why?

AUNT CLARA. I got you into it! No one else!

PAUL (is forced to smile). Innocent creature! Individuals quite apart
from you got me into it. It has taken a whole lifetime to bring it
about! You are as little to blame for that as you are