All right! I don’t want to talk of it. Besides the story is— MRS BUCHNER. No, no!—I want to ask you for something—pressing. ROBERT. Ask me—what? MRS BUCHNER. Couldn’t you—to please me—couldn’t you?—wouldn’t it be possible—just this one evening—couldn’t you put off your mask? ROBERT. That’s good! Put off my mask? MRS BUCHNER. Yes, for it’s not really you—it’s not really your own face that you show us. ROBERT. What an idea! MRS BUCHNER. Promise me—Mr Robert!— ROBERT. But I really don’t know— MRS BUCHNER. William—your brother William may come at any moment—and— ROBERT (_interrupting_). Mrs Buchner, if you would only—Believe me!—your efforts, I assure you, are quite useless—all this will lead to nothing—absolutely nothing—it’s all been spoilt for us—ruined—bungled from the very beginning—bungled through every year of our lives. There’s nothing more to be done. It all looks very—promising—Christmas tree—candles—presents—family gathering—That’s only on top: a downright damnable lie—nothing else! And now—Father!—If I didn’t know how unmanageable he is—on my honour I should believe—that it was you—who brought him here— MRS BUCHNER. Indeed no! That is just what has quickened my hopes. It is not chance, it’s providence—and so from my heart I beg you to be kind and brotherly to William. If you only knew how highly he speaks of you, with what love and what respect— ROBERT (_interrupting_). H’m!—and what use will it be? MRS BUCHNER. What? ROBERT. Why should I be kind and brotherly to him? MRS BUCHNER. You ask that! ROBERT. Yes. MRS BUCHNER. Well—at least not to spoil his return home for him. ROBERT. Oh, we don’t affect each other as you seem to think, and, besides, if you imagine he is going to be overcome by a subtle emotion on first entering here— MRS BUCHNER. Your brother is so good—a really fine character!—He must have fought a great fight before bringing himself to this point. He is coming with an intense desire for reconciliation, that I can _assure_ you! ROBERT.