[_Who has hitherto talked and written at the same time, lays his pen aside, arises, and hands HOFFMANN the finished prescription._] Here ... I suppose you'll have that filled quite soon. [_Taking up his hat, cane and gloves._] Your wife complains of headaches, and so--[_looking into his hat and adopting a dry, business-like tone_]--and so, before I forget: try, if possible, to make it clear to your wife that she is in a measure responsible for the new life that is to come into the world. I have already said something to her of the consequences of tight lacing. HOFFMANN Certainly, doctor ... I'll do my very best to make it clear to her that ... DR. SCHIMMELPFENNIG [_Bowing somewhat awkwardly._] Good morning. [_He is about to go but stops again._] Ah, yes, you wanted my advice ... [_He regards HOFFMANN coldly._ HOFFMANN If you can spare me a little while ... [_With a touch of affectation._] You know about the frightful death of my first boy. You were near enough to watch it. You know also what my state of mind was.--One doesn't believe it at first, but--time does heal!... And, after all, I have cause to be grateful now, since it seems that my dearest wish is about to be fulfilled. You understand that I must do everything, everything--it has cost me sleepless nights and yet I don't know yet, not even yet, just what I must do to guard the unborn child from the terrible fate of its little brother. And that is what I wanted to ask ... DR. SCHIMMELPFENNIG [_Dryly and business-like._] Separation from the mother is the indispensable condition of a healthy development. HOFFMANN So it is that! Do you mean complete separation?... Is the child not even to be in the same house with its mother? DR. SCHIMMELPFENNIG Not if you are seriously concerned for the preservation of your child. And your wealth permits you the greatest freedom of movement in this respect. HOFFMANN Yes, thank God. I have already bought a villa with a very large park in the neighbourhood of Hirschberg. Only I thought that my wife too ... DR. SCHIMMELPFENNIG [_Pulls at his moustache and stares at the floor. Thoughtfully._] Why don't you buy a villa somewhere else for your wife? [_HOFFMANN shrugs his shoulders._ DR. SCHIMMELPFENNIG [_As before._] Could you not, perhaps, engage the interest of your sister-in-law for the task of bringing up this child? HOFFMANN If you knew, doctor, how many obstacles ... and, after all, she is a young, inexperienced girl, and a mother _is_ a mother. DR. SCHIMMELPFENNIG You have my opinion. Good morning. HOFFMANN [_Overwhelming the doctor with excessive courtesy._] Good morning. I am extremely grateful to you ... [_Both withdraw through the middle door._ _HELEN enters. Her handkerchief is pressed to her mouth; she is sobbing, beside herself, and lets herself fall on the sofa in the foreground to the left. After a few moments, HOFFMANN reenters, his hands full of newspapers._ HOFFMANN