THE DISAGREEABLE YOUNG MAN. I was just interested. Thank you very much. Do not let me disturb you further, grandma. [_He takes up his book and continues to read. The Grandmother remains seated, but is greatly embarrassed. She would like to keep on gazing into the park and enjoying her quiet, but she is unable to concentrate her thoughts. She is getting more and more disturbed. There is a pause._] GRANDMOTHER. Curt! THE DISAGREEABLE YOUNG MAN. Yes--grandma, dear. GRANDMOTHER. Curt, why have you asked me if the forest incident happened that way? THE DISAGREEABLE YOUNG MAN. I merely wanted to find out, grandma. GRANDMOTHER. You just wanted to find out. But one does not ask such things without some good reason. THE DISAGREEABLE YOUNG MAN. I was interested. GRANDMOTHER. Interested, but why are you interested? THE DISAGREEABLE YOUNG MAN. Just in general. But do not get disturbed on account of that, grandma. [_The Grandmother is silent._] [_The Disagreeable Young Man picks up his book. The Grandmother wants to drop the subject at this point. She does not succeed, but continues to look over toward the young man. He reads on._] GRANDMOTHER. Curt! THE DISAGREEABLE YOUNG MAN. Yes, grandma, dear. GRANDMOTHER. Curt, you shall tell me this instant the reason you asked if the incident really happened that way! THE DISAGREEABLE YOUNG MAN. But, grandma ... I have already told you that.... GRANDMOTHER. Don't you tell me again that you asked because the matter interested you. You would have never asked such a question if you did not have some special reason for it. THE DISAGREEABLE YOUNG MAN. But, grandma-- GRANDMOTHER. Curt, if you do not this moment tell me why you said that, then I will never--[_her voice becomes unusually strong and shakes_] I never in my life will speak to you again. THE DISAGREEABLE YOUNG MAN. But, grandma, I do not want to insult you. GRANDMOTHER. You will not insult me if you will be sincere and open. Be sincere always.... And you will not insult me. But when your trying to hide something from me, that's when you insult me. This _cannot_ remain in this way. I must know what you are thinking of. I must know that. THE DISAGREEABLE YOUNG MAN. Grandma, I was afraid you would be angry with me. GRANDMOTHER. If you keep on concealing things I shall be angry. No matter what you have to say I will not hold it against you. THE DISAGREEABLE YOUNG MAN. Are you not angry now? GRANDMOTHER. No. I promise you I will not be angry. Say whatever you please. [_The Disagreeable Young Man hesitates._] GRANDMOTHER. Well, then--out with it--speak up, my child--be it what it may as long as it is frank and sincere. Speak up, now. Come! THE DISAGREEABLE YOUNG MAN. Very well then, grandma. It is impossible that the story could happen in that manner. GRANDMOTHER [_offended_]. You mean that I told an untruth?