PAUL (bursting out). Yes I probably did ...! At that time! Because I was a fool! HELLA (picks up her book again, turns as if to go away). Now you are becoming abusive! Good-by, I have work to do! PAUL (intercepts her). Hella! I am coming to you with an overflowing heart! I have a yearning to be alone with you, once, only once; I am almost desperate for a heart to heart talk ... GLYSZINSKI (who has silently followed the scene from the sofa, presumably engrossed in his book, but at times has cast over a furtive glance, makes a motion as if to rise). If I'm disturbing you, you only need to say so ... HELLA. Do not be funny, doctor. You do know that I wanted to go to my room some time ago. Please let me pass, Paul! PAUL (has retreated, with an angry bow). You have plenty of room! (Across to GLYSZINSKI) Hella is quite right. There is no longer any occasion for you to go. (He goes to the fireplace and sits down facing the fire.) HELLA (remains in the centre of the hall a few moments longer, then takes a step in the direction of PAUL, and speaks in a changed, gentler voice). Paul! (PAUL does not stir). HELLA (urgently). Paul! PAUL. That's all right! HELLA. Oh, is it! Very well! (She turns away abruptly, goes over toward the right, opens the door and turns around, saying curtly). I wish to work, so please do not disturb me. (She goes out.) PAUL (has become restless, gets up and calls). Hella! (One can hear how the door is being locked on the other side.) As you please, then! (He sits down again). GLYSZINSKI (looking up from his book). Hella has locked the door. [PAUL sets his teeth and is silent. Pause.] GLYSZINSKI. Am I disturbing you? PAUL (without turning around). I have already told you, _no_! Not any longer, now! GLYSZINSKI. So I _have_ been disturbing you? PAUL. I'll leave that to _you_. GLYSZINSKI. You would like to have me go away? PAUL. Dear Glyszinski, _don't_ ask such stupid questions! GLYSZINSKI. Well, I _should_ have gone long ago ... PAUL (cutting). Indeed? GLYSZINSKI. I can see very well how irksome I am to you. PAUL. You are not at all irksome, dear Glyszinski, neither now nor formerly. You are only funny. GLYSZINSKI. You two admitted me to your household. PAUL. Excuse me! _Hella_ admitted you. GLYSZINSKI. That is what I was going to say. Upon Hella's express invitation ... PAUL. Correct. GLYSZINSKI. Indeed I may say upon her wish ... PAUL. Also correct. GLYSZINSKI. I came into your house. PAUL. That was very kind of you. GLYSZINSKI. And so I can leave it only upon her invitation. Not before! I should be offending Hella, and that I cannot take upon myself. I revere her too much for that. PAUL (cutting). Sensitive soul that you are! GLYSZINSKI. Of course my views may not agree with all the conventional rules of society, but there are still other, higher duties. PAUL (amused). And _you_ honor them? GLYSZINSKI (casting a piercing look at PAUL). Yes, it is my duty to protect Hella.