PAUL (who, until now, has not faced the hall, remains standing in astonishment). Well, the chandelier in full splendor. (Meditating.) The old chandelier. Heavens, how sacred it was to me when I was a boy. It was fine of Aunt Clara to light the chandelier. HELLA (meanwhile has slowly walked through the hall, scrutinizing various things, sits down on the arm of a chair near the sofa, still wearing her cloak and toque and keeping her muff in her hand as if she were on the point of departing again at once. She smiles a trifle sarcastically). Yes, for a bright morning, the chandelier suggests this, that and what not. PAUL (fixing his eyes upon her calmly). To me the morning seemed pretty dark, as we were riding along. Didn't it to you? HELLA. Oh yes, you are right. It was even disagreeably dark. I kept on fearing we should fall into the ditch. I don't like to ride in a strange region by night. [Brief silence.] PAUL (facing HELLA, shaking his head). I do not see what objections you can have to the chandelier. HELLA (meeting his eye calmly). None whatever, Paul. PAUL. Aunt Clara's intentions were certainly good. One does realize that one was expected. (He turns away and takes several steps through the hall.) HELLA. But you know that I do not like such occasions. That is simply my disposition. I cannot make myself over. PAUL. I certainly do not demand that. (Turns on his heel and approaches again.) Or have I not always allowed you to have your own way! HELLA (also compromising). Certainly, certainly, up to the present we _have_ agreed on this point. PAUL. And shall continue in the future. (He extends his right hand to HELLA.) HELLA (grasps his hand and looks into his face squarely). I am true to my old self, Paul, remain so too. PAUL. Simply because each one of us has freely gone his own way, nothing has been able to separate us. That is the reason why we have kept together so firmly, all of these years. Don't you think so too? HELLA. It seems to me that I held that point of view long before we were acquainted. PAUL (seriously) Rather say, with that point of view, we found each other. For this point of view, I sacrificed my home, Hella! HELLA. Yes, therefore it surprises me all the more, that you suddenly seem to be forgetting all about that ... PAUL. In what respect? HELLA (continuing). That you behave like a school boy who is coining home for his vacation. PAUL (is silent for a moment, then continues). Hella!... My father is lying there on his bier. (He points toward the right.) I did not see him again! HELLA. Was it your fault? He forbade you his house! This house! PAUL (without listening to her). I have not been able to come to an understanding with him. I shall never come to an understanding with him! Do you realize what that means? (He turns away.) [HELLA shrugs her shoulders and remains silent. Pause.]