I mean that essay of yours, that economic description of our district. I ought to say … in fact, as a friend, I would beg of you as insistently as possible …
LOTH
Don't worry about that any more. I'll be far away from here by to-morrow.
HOFFMANN
That is really—
[He interrupts himself.
LOTH
Kind of you, you were going to say.
HOFFMANN
Oh, I don't know. Well, in a certain respect, yes! And anyhow you must forgive me; I'm so frightfully upset. Just count on me. Old friends are always the best! Good-bye, good-bye.