AUNT CLARA (hesitates a moment, then with a sudden effort). Madam ... Doctor ...? (Takes a step in the direction of HELLA.) HELLA (looks around surprised). Were you saying something? AUNT CLARA (erect). Keep an eye on Paul, madam!... That's all I have to say! HELLA (approaches). How so? AUNT CLARA. I am simply saying, keep an eye on Paul! HELLA (steps up to her, with a searching look). _What_ is going on?... AUNT CLARA, Talk to him yourself. I can't fathom it. HELLA. Then I will tell you. Do you think I am blind? Do you suppose that I am unable to see through the situation here? I know Paul and I know you, all of you who are turning Paul's head! AUNT CLARA (angered). Mercy me! _I_, turn Paul's head! HELLA. Yes, you, and all of you around here! I will tell you to your face! You are trying to set Paul against me! AUNT CLARA (with increasing excitement). I never set nobody against no one! Nobody ever said such a thing about me! God knows! You are the first person to do that! And on top of it all, I have the best intentions! I even want to help you! Well, I do say ...! (Takes several steps through the hall.) HELLA (with contemptuous laughter). You help me?... H'm! You wanted to get rid of me, and that is why you started all this about the estate, and staying here, and who knows _what_ else. But I declare to you, once and for all! Don't go to any trouble! You will not succeed in parting Paul and me! AUNT CLARA (in spite of herself). May be not I! HELLA. _Not you_?... Oh indeed!... Not you! AUNT CLARA (continuing in her anger). No! Not I! Of course not! Even if you have deserved it, ten times over! HELLA (also continues her lead). Not you?... Well, well! So it's some other woman! (She steps up before AUNT CLARA.) Some other woman is trying to separate us, Paul and me? Is that it? Yes or no? AUNT CLARA (frightened). I haven't said a thing. I know nothing about it. HELLA (triumphantly). I thought so! And now I grasp the whole situation!... That accounts for Paul's behavior, this strange behavior! Well, well! (She walks to and fro excitedly, speaks partly to herself.) But you shall not succeed! No, no! (Addressing AUNT CLARA again.) You shall not succeed! We'll just see who knows Paul better, you or I! AUNT CLARA (very seriously). Madam, I am an old woman, you may believe me or not, I tell you, don't carry matters too far with Paul! HELLA (reflecting again). So it was she?... The Polish woman, of course! Didn't I know it? AUNT CLARA (almost threatening). Don't carry matters too far! Remember what I say. HELLA (with a sudden change). Where is Paul? AUNT CLARA (anxiously). What is the matter? HELLA (very calmly and firmly). I must speak to Paul. AUNT CLARA. Merciful God! Now I see it coming! HELLA. Yes, I am going away and Paul is going with me. That is the end of the whole matter. I suppose that is not just exactly what you had expected. AUNT CLARA (petrified). And you are going to desert Ellernhof!