AUNT CLARA. Why, Paul. You only imagine that! PAUL. The good neighbors. At bottom they are right! How should an old man be able to learn the things that call for the efforts of a whole life, just as any other career does! Ridiculous! Why that simply must have lurid consequences. AUNT CLARA (impatiently). I should never have thought that you would act this way, Paul! PAUL. Act what way? I am only checking over the possibilities. Every business man does that! And I tell you, the prospects are desperately bad! I can fairly see Laskowski establish himself here after I have lost the place! (He has slowly walked over to the garden window on the right and looks out into the garden.) [Silence.] PAUL (after a time). What a beautiful day! The snow is glittering in the sunlight. The trees stand so motionless. AUNT CLARA. Awfully cold out-doors, my boy! PAUL. I know it. Aunt Clara, but the light is refreshing after all of the dark days. The old year is shining forth once more in its full glory. AUNT CLARA. The days are getting longer again. PAUL (meditating). Didn't you tell me, once upon a time, Auntie, that the time between Christmas and New Year is called the holy season? AUNT CLARA. The time between Christmas and Epiphany, Paul. If anyone dies then ... (She suddenly stops.) PAUL (calmly). Finish it, Aunt Clara! If some one dies then, another member of the family will follow him. Isn't that the purport? AUNT CLARA. Why Paul, I don't know! Purport of what? Who would believe in all of those things? PAUL. Of course not! [Brief silence.] AUNT CLARA (with her hand behind her ear). Do you hear the whips crack, Paul? PAUL (also listens). Faintly, yes. It seems to be out in front. AUNT CLARA. The young folks are lashing the old year out. They always do that on New Year's Eve when the sun goes down. PAUL (reflecting). I know. I know. I have heard it many a New Year's Eve. When the sun was setting. AUNT CLARA. Another one gone! PAUL (stares out). Just so it stood between the trees, and kept on sinking and sinking, and I was a little fellow and watched it from the window. And at last it was down and twilight came on. AUNT CLARA. Thank God, Paul, this year is over. PAUL. Who knows what the day may still have in store for us! Things are taking their course. AUNT CLARA. Tonight we shall surely all take punch together, Paul? PAUL. If we have time and the desire to do so, yes. AUNT CLARA (nervously). How you _are_ talking, Paul! Don't make a person afraid! PAUL (glancing at the sinking sun). Now it is directly over the pavilion. Now we shall not enjoy it much longer. (With a wave of his hand.) I greet thee, sun! Sinking sun! AUNT CLARA. I was going to ask you, in regard to the pavilion ... PAUL (turns around). Yes I'm glad that I've thought of it! (He comes forward and pulls the bell.) LENE (opens the door at the right and enters). Did you ring, sir?