THE STEP-DAUGHTER (_as soon as the Mother becomes a little quieter, adds resolutely and gravely_). At present, we are unknown to the public. Tomorrow, you will act us as you wish, treating us in your own manner. But do you really want to see drama, do you want to see it flash out as it really did? THE MANAGER. Of course! That's just what I do want, so I can use as much of it as is possible. THE STEP-DAUGHTER. Well then, ask that Mother there to leave us. THE MOTHER (_changing her low plaint into a sharp cry_). No! No! Don't permit it, sir, don't permit it! THE MANAGER. But it's only to try it. THE MOTHER. I can't bear it. I can't. THE MANAGER. But since it has happened already ... I don't understand! THE MOTHER. It's taking place now. It happens all the time. My torment isn't a pretended one. I live and feel every minute of my torture. Those two children there--have you heard them speak? They can't speak any more. They cling to me to keep my torment actual and vivid for me. But for themselves, they do not exist, they aren't any more. And she (_indicating Step-Daughter_) has run away, she has left me, and is lost. If I now see her here before me, it is only to renew for me the tortures I have suffered for her too. THE FATHER. The eternal moment! She (_indicating the Step-Daughter_) is here to catch me, fix me, and hold me eternally in the stocks for that one fleeting and shameful moment of my life. She can't give it up! And you sir, cannot either fairly spare me it. THE MANAGER. I never said I didn't want to act it. It will form, as a matter of fact, the nucleus of the whole first act right up to her surprise (_indicates the Mother_). THE FATHER. Just so! This is my punishment: the passion in all of us that must culminate in her final cry. THE STEP-DAUGHTER. I can hear it still in my ears. It's driven me mad, that cry!--You can put me on as you like; it doesn't matter. Fully dressed, if you like--provided I have at least the arm bare; because, standing like this (_she goes close to the Father and leans her head on his breast_) with my head so, and my arms round his neck, I saw a vein pulsing in my arm here; and then, as if that live vein had awakened disgust in me, I closed my eyes like this, and let my head sink on his breast. (_Turning to the Mother_). Cry out mother! Cry out! (_Buries head in Fathers breast, and with her shoulders raised as if to prevent her hearing the cry, adds in tones of intense emotion_): Cry out as you did then! THE MOTHER (_coming forward to separate them_). No! My daughter, my daughter! (_And after having pulled her away from him_): You brute! you brute! She is my daughter! Don't you see she's my daughter?