You should have been contented to leave me with at least the happiness that I had gained. It had all grown so mercifully dim, I realise now how dim! (overcome with excitement, he sinks on to a chair).
Ida (with a suppressed cry).
William!
Mrs Buchner (rushing in through the stairway to William).
William! listen to me! Only remember now what has been said between us. Now that I am so much to you—I implore you—now show your—yes, I demand it—I demand it from you, as the mother of my child! William, it rests with you now—with you only, William! you have been terribly, terribly to blame; you have a terrible debt to pay—you shall be happy again; I have done it, I have spoken to your father—he—
William (springs up, straight and stiff, with fixed eyes, stammering):—
F—F—father!—what—t—to my f—father (he staggers and stumbles like one out of his mind, and catches at his overcoat) I—
Ida (frightened).
Willy! Willy!
William (makes signs that he must not be stopped).