Doesn’t he look well?

Asta.

[Gazes fixedly at him.] Splendid! Quite splendid! His eyes are so much brighter! And I suppose you have done a great deal of writing on your travels? [With an outburst of joy.] I shouldn’t wonder if you had finished the whole book, Alfred?

Allmers.

[Shrugging his shoulders.] The book? Oh, the book——

Asta.

Yes, I was sure you would find it go so easily when once you got away.

Allmers.

So I thought too. But, do you know, I didn’t find it so at all. The truth is, I have not written a line of the book.

Asta.