Now, now, suddenly, that has become clear
as day to me.
HOFFMANN
[_With hypocritical indignation._] Helen, you seem really not to be in
your right mind; you're, suffering under a delusion.... [_He interrupts
himself and strikes his forehead._] Good Lord, of course! I see it all.
You have ... it's very early in the day, to be sure, but I'd wager ...
Helen! Have you been talking to Alfred Loth this morning?
HELEN
And why should I not have been talking to him? He is the kind of man
before whom we should all be hiding in shame if things went by rights.
HOFFMANN
So I was right!... That's it ... Aha ... well, to be sure ... then I have
no further cause for surprise. So he actually used the opportunity to go
for his benefactor a bit. Of course, one should really be prepared for
things of that kind.
HELEN
Do you know, I think that is really caddish.
HOFFMANN
I'm inclined to think so myself.
HELEN
He didn't breathe one syllable, not one, about you.
HOFFMANN
[_Slurring HELEN'S argument._] If things have reached that pass, then it
is really my duty, my duty, I say, as a relative toward an inexperienced
young girl like you ...
HELEN
Inexperienced girl! What is the use of this pretence?
HOFFMANN
[_Enraged.
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