AUNT CLARA (indifferently). I put things to rights a bit, madam. Why I _couldn't_ leave them as they were. I took the books upstairs. HELLA. Upstairs! Very well, then that's where _I_ will go. (Starts out toward the right.) PAUL (enters and runs into HELLA). Where are you going? HELLA. I am going upstairs. PAUL. _Where_ are you going! HELLA. Upstairs. I _can't_ find a nook down _here_ today where I might rest. PAUL. So you really refuse to dine with us? HELLA (places her hand on his arm). Spare me the agony, Paul! You know I can't endure so many strangers. It will give me a headache. PAUL. Stay a short time at least! Show that much consideration! HELLA (retreats a step). Consideration ... No one shows _me_ any consideration! PAUL (pacing up and down). Nice mess, when not even the nearest relatives ... HELLA. Why, you are to be present. PAUL. But you must be present! I desire it, Hella! HELLA. And what if I simply _cannot_? PAUL (plants himself before her). Why not? HELLA. Because I cannot. Because I hate these feeds! PAUL (more calmly). That is correct. So do I! But what can we do about it? It _is_ the custom. HELLA. Custom, Paul, custom!... Have we founded our life upon old customs? PAUL (embittered). If we only had! HELLA (looks at him sharply). Do you think so? PAUL. Yes, possibly we should have fared better. HELLA (very emphatically). And then, my dear, I will tell you one thing more. You are compelling me to do so. PAUL. And that is? HELLA. I don't care to lie. PAUL. What do you mean by that? HELLA. I don't care to feign, to these people, feelings that are entirely absent. That is why I am going upstairs. PAUL (very calmly). Does that refer to ... the dead? HELLA. Yes, it does! I did not know _him_ and he did not know _me_! Did not care to know me. What obligations remain for me? None at all. PAUL. Are you serious? HELLA (bolt upright). In all seriousness. Now it is out. PAUL (quite calm). Very well, then go! HELLA. I'll see you later. (She goes toward the right.) PAUL (struggles for composure, then suddenly). Hella! For _my_ sake ... Do _not_ go. Stay here! HELLA (turns to him). No, Paul, one should not force himself to do such things. Put the responsibility upon your father! I am not to blame. I am only acting as I must. You would do the same. [Off at the right.] PAUL (beside himself). It's well that you are reminding me of that. AUNT CLARA (approaches). Shall I remove your wife's plate? PAUL. Yes, take the plate away. AUNT CLARA. Have you seen the Laskowskis? PAUL. Yes, at the cemetery, Auntie. I shall go now and call the guests. (Goes off.) [AUNT CLARA walks toward the right, shaking her head, then pulls the bell.] LENE (comes in from the right, behind the scene). What is it. Miss Clara? AUNT CLARA. Have the soup brought in! It will take me some time to fill all of the plates, anyhow. LENE. Very well!