Paul. That's what I should like to do, Aunt Clara. Take a real rest after all of the wild years! And they do say the best rest is to be found at home.
Aunt Clara. Do you see how good it is for you to be at home again.
Paul (absorbed). How calmly he lay there. How great and serene! Not the vestige of a doubt left! Everything overcome. All the questions solved!... (Lamenting.) Father, father, if I were only in your place! (He presses his head in his hands.)
Aunt Clara (worried). Paul, what's the matter!
Paul. Nothing, Aunt Clara, it's over now.
Aunt Clara. No, no, my boy, there's something wrong with you. You needn't tell me. I know well enough.
Paul (controlling himself). You know nothing at all.
Aunt Clara. And you can't talk me out of it. It's your wife. What I know, I know. Your wife is to blame! And if you do say no ten times over!
Paul (gets up, with a firm voice). I repeat, Aunt Clara, you know nothing about it! I do not want to hear one word about that, please remember. (With marked emphasis.) I do not want to hear of it! (Walks up and down in excitement.)
Aunt Clara. Paul, Paul, if you had only taken Antonie!