CAPTAIN. [Rising] Yes—that is to say, he will take us by surprise, as it is termed. And I am expecting a telegram from him—any moment. [Goes to the right] I'll be back at once.
ALICE. There you see him as he is! Can he be called human?
CURT. When you asked that question once before, I answered no. Now I believe him to be the commonest kind of human being of the sort that possess the earth. Perhaps we, too, are of the same kind—making use of other people and of favourable opportunities?
ALICE. He has eaten you and yours alive—and you defend him?
CURT. I have suffered worse things. And this man-eater has left my soul unharmed—that he couldn't swallow!
ALICE. What "worse" have you suffered?
CURT. And you ask that?
ALICE. Do you wish to be rude?
CURT. No, I don't wish to—and therefore—don't ask again!
CAPTAIN. [Enters from the right] The telegram was already there, however—Please read it, Alice, for I cannot see—[Seats himself pompously in the easy-chair] Read it! You need not go, Curt.