Robert.
Shameless—just so. So I am.
Mrs Buchner.
Mr Robert! I don’t believe you—you are better than you would have us believe—better than you yourself believe!
Robert (with slight but increasing sarcasm, coldly).
My dear Mrs Buchner! it is no doubt very kind of you—but as I said—I hardly know—to what this honour—indeed I can lay no claim to your indulgence. My self-esteem is at the present moment by no means so slight that I feel the need of anyone to——
Mrs Buchner (slightly bewildered).
That isn’t at all what I mean—only—your father?
Robert.