FAT LADY (interrupting). No, allow me! I agree with the Professor. And here's the very best proof. After my illness, when I lay insensible, a desire to speak came over me. In general I am of a silent disposition, but then I was overcome by this desire to speak, and I spoke and spoke, and I was told that I spoke in such a way that every one was astonished! (To SAHATOF.) But I think I interrupted you? SAHATOF (with dignity). Not at all. Pray continue. DOCTOR. Pulse 82, and the temperature has risen three-tenths of a degree. PROFESSOR. There you are! That's a proof! That's just as it should be. (Takes out pocket-book and writes.) 82, yes? And 37 and 5. When the hypnotic state is induced, it invariably produces a heightened action of the heart. DOCTOR. I can, as a medical man, bear witness that your prognosis was justified by the event. PROFESSOR (to SAHATOF). You were saying?... SAHATOF. I wished to say that Liebault told me himself that the hypnotic is only one particular psychical state, increasing susceptibility to suggestion. PROFESSOR. That is so, but still the law of equivalents is the chief thing. GROSSMAN. Moreover, Liebault is far from being an authority, while Charcot has studied the subject from all sides, and has proved that hypnotism produced by a blow, a trauma.... [All talking together-- SAHATOF. Yes, but I don't reject Charcot's labor. I know him also, I am only repeating what Liebault told me... GROSSMAN (excitedly). There are 3000 patients together in the Salpetriere, and I have gone through the whole course. PROFESSOR. Excuse me, gentlemen, but that is not the point. FAT LADY (interrupting). One moment, I will explain it to you in two words. When my husband was ill, all the doctors gave him up.... LEONID FYODORITCH. However, we had better go upstairs again. Baroness, this way! [Exeunt GROSSMAN, SAHATOF, PROFESSOR, DOCTOR, the FAT LADY, and BARONESS, talking loudly and interrupting each other. ANNA PAVLOVNA (catching hold of LEONID FYODORITCH'S arm). How often have I asked you not to interfere in household matters! You think of nothing but your nonsense, and the whole house is on my shoulders. You will infect us all! LEONID FYODORITCH. What? How? I don't understand what you mean. ANNA PAVLOVNA. How? Why, people ill of diphtheria sleep in the kitchen, which is in constant communication with the whole house. LEONID FYODORITCH. Yes, but I.... ANNA PAVLOVNA. What, I? LEONID FYODORITCH. I know nothing about it. ANNA PAVLOVNA. It's your duty to know, if you are the head of the family. Such things must not be done. LEONID FYODORITCH. But I never thought.... I thought.... ANNA PAVLOVNA. It is sickening to listen to you! [LEONID FYODORITCH remains silent.