AUNT CLARA. Oh, I don't care much for wine, my boy, as you may remember. (She sips a little.) LASKOWSKI (to ANTOINETTE). Well, did you like it, dearie? PAUL. May I give you some more, madam? ANTOINETTE. No, thank you. It would go to my head. LASKOWSKI (pushes his glass over). I'll take another glass. Then I must be going. (Looks at his watch.) It's a quarter of eleven. PAUL (fills it). What else have you in mind? LASKOWSKI. Well, since it just fits in, we being here today, I just want to go over to the inn. They've advertised a gelding there. Take a look at him. If he can be had cheap ... Haven't put one over on anybody for some time! (He laughs, empties the glass and holds it up before him.) Your old gent did invest in a cellar! There ain't a thing, Doc., that I envy you as much as that cellar! (He gets up.) ANTOINETTE. I shall wait till you return. Come back soon! LASKOWSKI. On the spot, dearie. I'll only take a vertical whisky over at the inn! Good-by, dearie! Good-by, Doc.! (He goes out at the right.) AUNT CLARA (has also risen, with a sly look). Mercy, my dinner! You can't depend upon these girls! First thing, it'll be burned. (She hastens out at the right.) ANTOINETTE. Did you not bring Mrs. Warkentin with you, Doctor? PAUL (nervously). Yes, Auntie, please tell Lene to go around and tell my wife we have callers. This door is locked. She cannot get through here. (He has risen and walked over to the right.) AUNT CLARA (going out). Very well, Paul, I shall see to it. [Goes off. Pause. PAUL stands at the fireplace and stares into the fire. Antoinette has leaned back on the sofa and is gazing into space.] PAUL (with an effort). You are not cold, are you, madam? Or I will put on some more wood. ANTOINETTE (without stirring). Not on my account! I am accustomed to the cold. PAUL (forced). Strange! As _hardened_ as all that. ANTOINETTE. Completely! PAUL, (takes a step toward her). Antoinette ...? ANTOINETTE (motionless). Doctor? PAUL, (painfully). Once my name was Paul. Don't you remember? ANTOINETTE. I have forgotten it! PAUL (controls himself). Well then, madam, may I speak to you? ANTOINETTE. Will you not call your wife? PAUL. May I not speak to you? ANTOINETTE. I don't know what you could have to say. PAUL. Something that concerns only you and me and not another soul! ANTOINETTE (gets up). I do not _care_ to hear it. (Takes a few steps into the hall.) PAUL (seizes her hand). Antoinette! ANTOINETTE (frees herself). Don't! PAUL. Then why have you come? ANTOINETTE. Don't, I tell you! PAUL. Then why have you come, I ask of you? ANTOINETTE (stands with her back to him, blurts out). They fairly dragged me here! PAUL. So you did not come of your own accord? ANTOINETTE. No!... I should never have come! PAUL. Antoinette ... Is that the truth? [Antoinette presses her hand to her face and is silent.] PAUL (with bowed head). Then to be sure ...!