CURT. My nature has shortcomings enough, and my struggle against them has not been very successful, but I do recognise obligations——
CAPTAIN. Show it then! [Reaches out his hand to pick up a newspaper] Why, what is this? A death notice? [Reads] The Health Commissioner is dead.
ALICE. [To CURT] Now he is speculating in the corpse——
CAPTAIN. [As if to himself] This is going to bring about certain—changes——
CURT. In what respect?
CAPTAIN. [Rising] That remains to be seen.
ALICE. [To the CAPTAIN] Where are you going?
CAPTAIN. I think I'll have to go to the city—[Catches sight of a letter on the writing-table, picks it up as if unconsciously, reads the address, and puts it back] Oh, I hope you will pardon my absent-mindedness.
CURT. No harm done.
CAPTAIN. Why, that's Allan's drawing case. Where is the boy?