(_Enter_ Frau Heinecke, _pushing_ Alma _before her_, Heinecke _follows, his mouth full._) Heinecke. This impudence! Frau Heinecke. Masked balls cost money. Now, you'll stay at home. Heinecke. Do you deserve my curse or not? I curse you again, you toad! Robert. Alma, go into the other room! I have something to say to father and mother. Frau Heinecke. And don't slop around so! Dress yourself! The gray dress with the patches! Alma. That old thing! Heinecke. Get out! Frau Heinecke. And you won't drink any coffee, either! Now, now, don't cry! (_Aside_) It's on the back of the stove. (Alma _goes out._) Robert. Father, Mother,--don't be angry with me--I--you--there must be a great change in your life. Heinecke. What's the matter? Robert. I am certain that Alma will be absolutely ruined if she is not brought into surroundings that make it impossible for her to return to her previous life.--But what will become of you? You can't stay here, if you did, you would soon be a prey to the Michalskis. So the long and short of it is--you must come with me. Frau Heinecke. (_Frightened_) To India? Robert. It makes no difference where. Perhaps even as far as India. Trast's influence reaches a long way. We are in a position to choose. Heinecke. (_Defiantly_) Oh yes, choose India! Frau Heinecke. I don't know which end I'm on! Robert. It will be hard for you! I realize that. But don't worry; it's not as bad as it seems. You can live a thousand times more comfortably in the tropics than here. You can have as many servants as you like! Heinecke. Thousands! Robert. And your own house! Heinecke. And palms? Robert. More than you can use. Heinecke. And you can pick the fruit right off the trees. Robert. It picks itself. Heinecke. And it costs nothing. Robert. Almost nothing. Heinecke. And the parrots fly around--and the apes? Like out at the zoo? Robert. So you will come? Frau Heinecke. What do you think. Father? Heinecke. Well--'s far's I'm concerned, we'll come. Robert. Thank you, thank you! (_Aside_) Thank God, I didn't have to force them! And now we mustn't lost a moment. Where is paper and pen? (Heinecke _meditatively scratches his head._) Frau Heinecke. Alma has some. (_She goes into bedroom_) Heinecke. Of course, she's always writing letters. (_He shuts the stove door_) Robert. (_To himself with a sigh of relief_) Oh, now I'm doubly curious to know what satisfaction he'll offer--and I shall have to refuse! Refuse a duel!--They'll call me a coward and I'll be dishonored! Oh, well, I don't need their honor, I have to earn my bread. Frau Heinecke. (_Entering_) Everything is laid out on the table--or do you want to write here? Robert. No, no, I shan't be disturbed in there. Frau Heinecke. You look tired. You must rest a little! Robert. (_Shakes his head_) If Herr Muhlingk, Junior, sends word, or comes himself, call me. (_He goes off_) Frau Heinecke. (_Sinking to the chair_) India!