Aunt Clara (more and more astonished). He lives with you?
Paul. We keep house together, yes. And so he wanted to come with us, and Hella was also of the opinion that we could not exactly desert him. He is likely to do some fool thing. You know he is always doing fool things ... It wasn't very agreeable to me, I must confess. But it would not do to leave him at home. When Hella takes a thing like that into her head ...
Aunt Clara. Don't be offended, Paul, I can't get that through my head ... Aren't you the master of your house?
Paul (smiling). Master of my house?... No, Auntie, Hella would never put up with that and on that point I am forced to agree with her.
Aunt Clara. The things that one does get to hear in one's old age! I'm too dense for that.
Paul. Well you see. Aunt Clara, these are views that are not exactly understood in the country. One has to work up to that gradually.
Aunt Clara. Are you really happy with them, Paul?
Paul. Why I have fought almost fifteen years for these views! Surely a man will not do a thing like that without serious consideration.
Aunt Clara. So you held those very views at the time when you had your quarrel with your father, who is now dead and gone?
Paul. That's the very reason I went away, Auntie. Do you understand now why it was impossible for me to remain?