Hindes. Well may you weep. Weep, Fanny, weep until the tears come no more. But when that is over, then dry your eyes and never weep again. Dry forever the source of all your tears. That's exactly what I did, do you understand? Such people as you and I, robbed of personal happiness, must either weep forever, or never weep at all. I chose the latter course. Harden yourself, Fanny, and then fold your arms on your breast and look fearlessly forward into life, fulfilling it as your heart dictates.
Fanny [continues weeping].
Hindes [noticing Berman's letter on the table, takes it up and throws it down angrily]. Such a botched, idiotic sentence! And he's a poet!
Fanny [raising her head]. If things are as you say, then Olga will in any case reject Berman. She will imagine that she is taking him away from me, and such a thing she would never do.
Hindes. Perhaps. [Suddenly, bluntly.] And what will be the effect of all this upon you?
Fanny [brokenly]. Who's thinking of self? I mean that I want her to have him.
Hindes. There's the old Fanny again!
Fanny. Ah! Enough of that! Better help me with some suggestion.
Hindes. Some suggestion? Be her matchmaker.
Fanny. And suppose she should turn the tables and want to be my matchmaker?