There was one thing, I am bound to tell you, that seemed to excite them particularly: they computed what an enormous business you were doing in coal now, and they called you--well, it wasn't exactly flattering. In short they asserted that you had persuaded the stupid farmers of the neighbourhood, over some champagne, to sign a contract by which the exploitation of all the coal mined on their property was turned over to you at a ridiculously small rental. HOFFMANN [_Touched on the raw, gets up._] I'll tell you something, Loth ... Pshaw, why concern oneself with it at all. I vote that we think of supper. I'm savagely hungry--yes, quite savagely. [_He presses the button of an electric connection, the wire of which hangs down over the sofa in the form of a green cord. The ringing of an electric bell is heard._ LOTH Well, if you want to keep me here, then have the kindness ... I'd like to brush up a bit first. HOFFMANN In a moment--everything that's necessary ... [_EDWARD, a servant in livery, enters._] Edward, take this gentleman to the guest chamber. EDWARD Very, well, sir. HOFFMANN [_Pressing LOTH'S hand._] I wonder if you'd mind coming down to supper in about fifteen minutes--at most. LOTH That's ample time. See you later. HOFFMANN Yes, see you later. [_EDWARD opens the door and lets LOTH precede him. Both go out. HOFFMANN scratches the back of his head, looks thoughtfully at the floor and then approaches the door at the right. He has just touched the knob when HELEN, who has entered hastily by the glass door, calls to him._ HELEN Brother! Who was that? HOFFMANN That was one of my college chums, in fact, the oldest of them, Alfred Loth. HELEN [_Quickly._] Has he gone again? HOFFMANN No; he's going to eat supper with us. Possibly ... yes, possibly he may spend the night here. HELEN Heavens! Then I shan't come to supper. HOFFMANN But Helen! HELEN What is the use of my meeting cultivated people! I might just as well get as boorish as all the rest here! HOFFMANN Oh, these eternal fancies! In fact you will do me a real favour if you will order the arrangements for supper. Be so kind. I'd like to have things a bit festive, because I believe that he has something up his sleeve. HELEN What do you mean by that: has something up his sleeve? HOFFMANN Mole's work ... digging, digging.--You can't possibly understand that. Anyhow, I may be mistaken, for I've avoided touching on that subject so far. At all events, have everything as inviting as possible. That's the easiest way, after all, of accomplishing something with people ... Champagne, of course. Have the lobsters come from Hamburg? HELEN I believe they came this morning. HOFFMANN Very well. Then--lobsters! [_A violent knocking is heard._] Come in! PARCEL POST CARRIER [_Enters with a box under his arm. His voice has a sing-song inflection._] A box. HELEN Where from? PARCEL POST CARRIER Ber-lin. HOFFMANN