HOFFMANN
Well, you may depend on it that if that had been the case, I would have
thought it all over very carefully, and would probably have taken good
care not to keep him here. Loth is now and always will be a man whose
acquaintance compromises you. The authorities have an eye on him.
HELEN
Why? Has he committed a crime?
HOFFMANN
The less said about it the better. Just let this assurance be sufficient
for you: to go about the world to-day, entertaining his opinions, is far
worse and, above all, far more dangerous than stealing.
HELEN
I will remember.--But now--listen! After all your talk about Mr. Loth,
you needn't ask me any more what I think of you.--Do you hear?
HOFFMANN
[_With cold cynicism._] Do you suppose that I'm so greatly concerned to
know that? [_He presses the electric button._] And, anyhow, I hear him
coming in.
LOTH _enters._
HOFFMANN
Hallo! Did you sleep well, old man?
LOTH
Well, but not long. Tell me this, though: I saw a gentleman leaving the
house a while ago.
HOFFMANN
Probably the doctor. He was here a while ago. I told you about him,
didn't I?--this queer mixture of hardness and sentimentality.
_HELEN gives instructions to EDWARD, who has just entered.
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