PAUL (relieved). They haven't any children either? Well! AUNT CLARA. They did have one, a girl! But they lost her. PAUL. Lost her ... Well, well!... Hm! Antoinette!... Antoinette Rousselle as Mrs. von Laskowski!... Could I have dreamed such a thing when I was a sophomore with old Heliodor! (He shakes his head, burdened with memories, then with a sudden change.) Well, of course, we shall send the Laskowskis an announcement. We'll attend to that at once! (Starts to go.) AUNT CLARA (holds him by the arm). Never mind, Paul! I _have_ sent it. Yesterday. I was certain it would be all right with you. PAUL (forced to smile). Well, what do you think of Aunt Clara!... AUNT CLARA. It's only on account of the neighbors. Now that you are here and they live right next to us, if we should not even invite them to the funeral.... PAUL (absent-minded). Yes, yes, quite right! AUNT CLARA (searchingly). For you'll have to observe a bit of neighborliness with the estate-owners around here, my boy ... PAUL (warding off). Oh, Aunt Clara, here's the same old question again! AUNT CLARA. Now really, Paul, don't you know yet what you are going to do, whether you intend to remain? PAUL (very seriously). Aunt Clara! I shall _never_ be able to induce Hella. That is becoming clearer and clearer to me! AUNT CLARA (bolt upright). If Ellernhof is sold, I shall not survive it! I have been here thirty-three years! I have carried you all in my arms, you and your brothers and sisters. All of the rest are dead. You are still here, Paul. I closed your mother's eyes for her. I witnessed the death of your father. In all of my days I have known only Ellernhof. At the cemetery I've selected a place for myself where all of them are lying. Shall I go away now at the very end? At least, wait until I am dead! PAUL (passionately). Don't make it so desperately hard for me, Aunt Clara! AUNT CLARA (looking at the walls). Here they all hang on the walls, those who were once active here ... PAUL, (follows her eyes). Do you hear? The door-bell. (The door-hell rings.) AUNT CLARA. Callers. PAUL. Callers! Again! AUNT CLARA. Probably to express their condolences. PAUL (impatiently). Just at the most inopportune moment! AUNT CLARA (listening). I shouldn't be surprised if the Laskowskis were coming! PAUL (giving a start). Antoinette ...? Why, that ...! And I in my riding boots! Do see who it is! AUNT CLARA. Why, of course it is! I can hear him from here ... Shall I bring them in, Paul? PAUL, Can't we take them somewhere else? AUNT CLARA. Where, pray tell? (She goes to the door on the right.) PAUL (goes to the door on the left, knocks). Hella, open the door! I want to change my clothes. There are callers. AUNT CLARA. Why, never mind, you are all right! PAUL (turns away, resigned to his fate). It wouldn't do any good anyhow. Hella does not hear me. Go ahead then! Bring them right along.