Dr Scholz.
Please! please, please help me.
[Ida appears at the door of the room, deathly white.
William (rushes to his father, puts his arms round him again).
Strike me!
Dr Scholz (sinking on a chair with William’s arms still round him).
I—ah—ah—a—ah! I think—it’s—all over—with me.
William.
Father!
[Mrs Scholz and Augusta seize one another in terror. Robert, deathly white, has not moved. His face has an expression of unshakable determination.