The telephone in the dining-room rings. LOUISE comes in to answer the call. The MASTER rises and puts one hand up to his heart. He tries to listen, but the public cannot hear anything of what is said within. Pause. After a while LOUISE comes out by way of the square.
MASTER. [Anxiously] What news?
LOUISE. No change.
MASTER. Was that my brother?
LOUISE. No, it was the lady.
MASTER. What did she want?
LOUISE. To speak to you, sir.
MASTER. I don't want to!—Have I to console my executioner? I used to do it, but now I am tired of it.—Look up there! They have forgotten to turn out the light—and light makes empty rooms more dreadful than darkness—the ghosts become visible. [In a lowered voice] And how about Starck's Agnes? Do you think he knows anything?
LOUISE. It's hard to tell, for he never speaks about his sorrows—nor does anybody else in the Silent House!
MASTER. Do you think he should be told?