Listen! Hasn't some one been sounding a gong?
LOTH
You consider all I've said mere phrase-making?
HOFFMANN
Honestly, it does sound a little hollow. After all, other people are not necessarily savages, even if they are married. But some men act as though they had a monopoly of all the good deeds that are to be done in the world.
LOTH
[With some heat.] Not at all! I'm not thinking of such a thing. If you hadn't abandoned your life's work, your happy material situation would be of the greatest assistance …
HOFFMANN
[Ironically.] So that would be one of your demands, too?