Oh mother, do let me alone—I’m troubling nobody!—Has Friebe come back from the Doctor’s? MRS SCHOLZ. No, that he hasn’t. It’s what I always say, as sure as one wants a doctor, there isn’t one to be found. WILLIAM. It is serious, isn’t it, especially if—_that_ were to happen again? MRS SCHOLZ. Ah God! Who knows! [_William stares at his mother, then with sudden passionate sobs lets his head fall in his hands._ Yes, yes, my boy, who would have thought it! I’m not saying—I blame no one, but just to-day you surely might have kept from quarrelling.—However, we must just hope for the best.—At least his mind’s not wandering any more. If Ida only doesn’t overlook anything! Any one of us would have a hundred times more experience. Why he should have taken so to Ida!—I don’t bite!—Though I will say in other ways—Ida—she’s really a good girl—and you of all people! (_patting him on his shoulders_) You may thank the Lord! You might wait long enough before you’d find another one like Ida! (_Cautiously, confidentially_) Tell me,—are the Buchners well off? WILLIAM (_roused_). Oh leave me alone! How should I know!—What do I care! MRS SCHOLZ. What now!—I suppose I’ve a right to ask!—You’re a perfect bear! WILLIAM. Ah mother, let me alone.—If you have a spark of pity for me, let me alone.—Don’t trouble about me, let me alone. MRS SCHOLZ. Oh yes, of course, I’m always in the way. An old woman—good for nothing but to snap at. [_Augusta and Mrs Buchner come hastily out of Room R._ AUGUSTA. Mother! MRS SCHOLZ. Oh Lord! What now? AUGUSTA. Friebe has just come. MRS BUCHNER. Friebe has brought no doctor with him. AUGUSTA. Father asked him, and he said— MRS BUCHNER. He won’t _have any_ doctor! AUGUSTA. He’s furious, he’ll throw him out of the room. MRS BUCHNER. Friebe won’t go again. AUGUSTA. You come and speak to Friebe. MRS BUCHNER. Yes, _you_ speak to him. It is so necessary! AUGUSTA. A doctor _must_ come—or I’ll go myself; I’m not afraid, not if I have to run all the way to Friedrichshafen. MRS SCHOLZ. Well, why not?—But it’s the middle of the night, won’t—just let me come. [_Mrs Buchner, Mrs Scholz and Augusta go off hastily. Mrs Buchner is scarcely out before she returns. Whilst speaking she has looked several times furtively and with a grieved expression at William, who is still in the same place, silent and gloomy. Mrs Buchner looks round to make sure that William and she are quite alone. At first quickly, then with hesitation she approaches him._ WILLIAM (_raising his head as she goes to him_). What do you want?—I told you everything before. MRS BUCHNER. But I wouldn’t believe you; I couldn’t picture it to myself. WILLIAM. And now you believe it? MRS BUCHNER. I—don’t—know. WILLIAM. Why do you lie to me?—Say straight out, yes. It was perfectly natural that it would all turn out like this; so ridiculously natural. How in the world I could have been so blind!