Gurdweill made haste to light the lamp, which was ready on the table. He remained standing by the table, careful not to make a move. He saw that she was in a bad mood and wanted to avoid a quarrel, but his heart told him that tonight would not pass quietly. All of a sudden he felt a surge of anger against himself and his caution. What! How long was he going to go on submitting fearfully to her every whim! He pushed the chair out of his way, scraping it noisily on the floor, and went to look out of the window.

Thea finished taking off her outer garments and said, ‘What’s there to eat?’

‘Nothing,’ said Gurdweill shortly, without turning away from the window.

Surprised by his reply, Thea turned her head to stare at his back. In a calm, ominous voice she said: ‘What do you mean — nothing? Why didn’t you see to it that there was something to eat in the house?’

Now Gurdweill turned to face his wife. He did not reply immediately; he looked directly at her. After a moment he said bravely: ‘Why didn’t I see to it? Because I haven’t got any money. As you know very well. And besides: for once you can make yourself something to eat.’

Thea was flabbergasted. Red in the face with rage, she started forward. ‘What? How dare you? In that case, what do I need you for? Do you imagine that you’ll sit here like a prince and I’ll get your meals for you?’

‘Not for me, for yourself!’ replied Gurdweill fearlessly.

‘Get out!’ She pointed to the door. And when Gurdweill did not move, she added: ‘Get out at once, I tell you! At once! And don’t you dare show your face here again! You hear me, don’t you dare!’

‘Have you gone mad?’ ventured Gurdweill. But Thea was already at his side, seizing him and dragging him to the door and pushing him out into the corridor. Then she threw his coat and hat after him and bolted the door from inside. It was all over before Gurdweill could grasp what was happening. Stunned, he stood in the dark corridor and looked at the door and the thin line of light underneath it. Suddenly it crossed his mind that the whole thing was a joke, and he tried to open the door. But the door was locked. Then Gurdweill realised that it was not a joke at all. He lit a match, picked up his coat and hat, put them on, and went downstairs.