Oh, these eternal fancies! In fact you will do me a real favour if you will order the arrangements for supper. Be so kind. I'd like to have things a bit festive, because I believe that he has something up his sleeve.
HELEN
What do you mean by that: has something up his sleeve?
HOFFMANN
Mole's work … digging, digging.—You can't possibly understand that. Anyhow, I may be mistaken, for I've avoided touching on that subject so far. At all events, have everything as inviting as possible. That's the easiest way, after all, of accomplishing something with people … Champagne, of course. Have the lobsters come from Hamburg?
HELEN
I believe they came this morning.
HOFFMANN
Very well. Then—lobsters! [A violent knocking is heard.] Come in!