HOFFMANN
Did you take a walk with my wife?
HELEN
What am I to do if she's so easily tired?
HOFFMANN
Nonsense! Easily tired! She makes me utterly wretched! An hour and a half
... I wish, for goodness' sake, she would do as the doctor orders. What
is the use of having a doctor, if....
HELEN
Then put your foot down and get rid of that Spiller woman! What am I to
do against an old creature like that who always confirms her in her own
notions!
HOFFMANN
But what can I do--a man--a mere man? And, furthermore, you know my
mother-in-law! Don't you?
HELEN
[_Bitterly._] I do.
HOFFMANN
Where is she now?
HELEN
Spiller has been getting her up in grand style ever since Mr. Loth came.
She will probably go through one of her performances at supper.
HOFFMANN
[_Once more absorbed in his own thoughts and pacing the room,
violently._] This is the last time, I give you my word, that I'm going to
await such things in this house--the last time, so help me!
HELEN
Yes, you're lucky. You can go where you please.
HOFFMANN
In my house the wretched relapse into that frightful vice would most
certainly not have occurred.
HELEN
Don't make me responsible for it.
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