‘I never knew you were such a silly boy!’ said Gurdweill. ‘You never told me so before. You know very well that Daddy’s busy now. He hasn’t got even an ounce of time to spare! For instance, he has to wash your smoking jacket for the cocktail party tomorrow: a modern young man like you can’t go to a cocktail party in a soiled smoking jacket! What would the pretty girls say? All the conquests you’ve made up to now would come to nothing. The least little sloppiness in a gentleman’s attire can ruin everything — as you know very well yourself! And Daddy’s got a pile of other work to do besides — all for your personal benefit! No-o! So you’re stubborn as well! A nasty fault. I really thought you were more intelligent. And if you don’t stop now, we’re parting ways! You’re going right back to your carriage and I’m not saying another word! Stubbornness is one thing I won’t countenance!’

Thea opened the door and came in without Gurdweill hearing her. ‘Why is he screaming like that? Why don’t you make him keep quiet?’

‘He’s screaming because he’s hungry. Take him and feed him.’

‘What? Because you don’t know how to handle him! Let him wait a while; he won’t starve. Shut him up! I can’t stand the noise!’

‘You can see that it’s useless. Feed him and he’ll calm down.’

Thea shot her husband an annihilating look and began unhurriedly taking off her coat and hat. Then she took a cigarette out of her purse and lit it. Slowly she sat down on the sofa, the burning cigarette between her lips, and began baring her breast.

‘Give him here!’ she commanded.

The moment his lips touched the nipple, the baby stopped crying.

‘You see, he was hungry, poor little thing!’

And after a moment: ‘Don’t you think that … that you should take the cigarette out of your mouth when you’re feeding him? The smoke’s getting in his eyes.’

‘What? What’s it got to do with you?’

‘You can smoke as much as you like afterwards,’ said Gurdweill, standing his ground, ‘it doesn’t take so long, after all!’

He approached her and said coaxingly: ‘Give it to me, dearest, there’s a good girl; control yourself for a few minutes.’

With her free hand she pushed him away roughly. ‘It’s none of your business! I’ll do whatever I like!’

‘But you’re harming the baby! Why should you harm him for nothing?’

‘Why do you take such an interest in him?’ she said viciously. ‘Haven’t I told you already a thousand times that the baby’s mine and mine only — mine and … In any case you’ve got nothing to do with him …’