Listen to me! Would you like to see the letters of refusal?

Mrs Scholz (interrupting).

Children! (She makes a movement as if to bare her breast for a death-stroke.) Here—rather kill me at once! Haven’t you so much pity for me? Not so much? What? Ah! good Lord! Not five minutes! I never saw such children; not five minutes can you keep peace!

Robert.

Exactly, that’s what I said: things are warming up again.

[Friebe comes importantly from the stairway; he whispers to Mrs Scholz, whereupon she gives him a key. Friebe goes out through cellar door. Robert has stood watching this proceeding.

Robert (as Friebe disappears down the cellar steps).

Aha!

Augusta (who has kept her eye on Robert: breaking out furiously).

You haven’t a shred of filial feeling!—not one shred!