[_Pressing LOTH'S hand._] I wonder if you'd mind coming down to supper in about fifteen minutes--at most.
LOTH
That's ample time. See you later.
HOFFMANN
Yes, see you later.
[_EDWARD opens the door and lets LOTH precede him. Both go out.
HOFFMANN scratches the back of his head, looks thoughtfully at the floor and then approaches the door at the right. He has just touched the knob when HELEN, who has entered hastily by the glass door, calls to him._
HELEN
Brother! Who was that?
HOFFMANN
That was one of my college chums, in fact, the oldest of them, Alfred Loth.
HELEN
[_Quickly._] Has he gone again?
HOFFMANN
No; he's going to eat supper with us. Possibly ... yes, possibly he may spend the night here.
HELEN
Heavens! Then I shan't come to supper.
HOFFMANN
But Helen!
HELEN
What is the use of my meeting cultivated people! I might just as well get as boorish as all the rest here!
HOFFMANN
Oh, these eternal fancies! In fact you will do me a real favour if you will order the arrangements for supper. 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.