Be so kind. I'd like to have
things a bit festive, because I believe that he has something up his
sleeve.
HELEN
What do you mean by that: has something up his sleeve?
HOFFMANN
Mole's work ... digging, digging.--You can't possibly understand that.
Anyhow, I may be mistaken, for I've avoided touching on that subject so
far. At all events, have everything as inviting as possible. That's the
easiest way, after all, of accomplishing something with people ...
Champagne, of course. Have the lobsters come from Hamburg?
HELEN
I believe they came this morning.
HOFFMANN
Very well. Then--lobsters! [_A violent knocking is heard._] Come in!
PARCEL POST CARRIER
[_Enters with a box under his arm. His voice has a sing-song
inflection._] A box.
HELEN
Where from?
PARCEL POST CARRIER
Ber-lin.
HOFFMANN
Quite right. No doubt the baby's outfit from Hertzog. [_He looks at the
package and takes the bill._] Yes, these are the things from Hertzog.
HELEN
This whole box full. Oh, that's overdoing!
_HOFFMANN pays the carrier._
PARCEL POST CARRIER
[_Still in his sing-song._] I wish you a good evening.
[_Exit._
HOFFMANN
Why is that overdoing?
HELEN
Why, because there's enough here to fit out at least three babies.
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