RHEINHARDT.

Not at all! He is irritable and contradicts me much.

VERA.

I had not noticed him irritable. He is sometimes depressed.

RHEINHARDT.

I tell you he is irritable. You must be careful not to excite him, not to contradict him; bah, let little things pa.s.s! [_With a sweep of the hand._

VERA.

Then you think from what I have told you that it really is so?

RHEINHARDT.

How can I say? The evidences are much too small. Have you examined him again?

VERA.

I managed it again yesterday. I think it's even clearer; of course I can't be sure.

RHEINHARDT.

You have watched him in daily life? Yes?

VERA.

Of course. I have a good many notes for you to see.

RHEINHARDT.

He does not suspect anything?

VERA.

Nothing. He says he is overworked; but you would never know from himself that he was at all ill.

RHEINHARDT.

That is right, of course he must not be told.

VERA.

It has no effect on a glioma, has it? For the patient to know?

RHEINHARDT.

What do _you_ know about gliomas? What do you know about any tumour on the brain at all?

VERA.

I only asked.

RHEINHARDT.

Of course he must not know!---- You say his knowledge does not make the glioma worse. No, but it makes the effects worse! It strikes the man down; it is a moral paralysis, when he knows he has a mortal disease.

You say it does not bring death nearer? What do you call it if a man has no spirit left in him, no courage, no interest in life? You say it is not important----

VERA.

Please, I never said so.

RHEINHARDT.

You contradict me flatly when I speak! I tell you it robs a man of all that is living in him. It makes him at once half dead.

VERA.

Would even a very strong-minded man?----

RHEINHARDT.

Hut! You have been reading Steinmetz. Is a strong-minded man immortal?

Will a strong-minded man stand up when I knock him with a sledging-hammer down? There is no such person as Steinmetz's strong-minded man. Take me in. [_Going to the door._] Show me your notes! Most likely you were wrong from the beginning.

[_During this speech re-enter_ CARLYON _and_ ADENE _from back_. VERA _and_ RHEINHARDT _are by the steps_ L.

ADENE.

[_To_ CARLYON.] Well, I shall be in the library, and am ready whenever you are.

[_Goes off by the steps at the back._

CARLYON.

What, doctor, is she upholding your vanquished opponents? Be severe with her. She would be merciless to us for half such a crime!

VERA.

I'll be back in a moment, father.

[_Exeunt_ VERA _and_, RHEINHARDT, RHEINHARDT _making impatient gestures without answering_. VERA _kisses her hand to_ CARLYON. CARLYON _sits down_ R., _but gets up again as_ ELIZABETH _comes in from the French window_ L.

CARLYON.

Well, out with it! [ELIZABETH _looks surprised._] You've been following me about for two days now, so I suppose there's some mystery coming.