I overcame it daily, because--well because
I never really took you seriously. [Pause.]
BEERMANN [with, a false pathos]. Lena, dear, do you realize what
things you are saying?
FRAU BEERMANN. Yes, fully.
BEERMANN [as above]. That is dreadful. Every word is a ...
catastrophe! I have until today, I have until this hour, believed
in our established quiet happiness. Now shall all this pass away?
FRAU BEERMANN. Nothing but your confidence in my blindness shall
pass away.
BEERMANN. Think it over. There can be no real family life after
people lose faith in each other.
FRAU BEERMANN. Oh, a person gets used even to that.
BEERMANN. No. Lena, listen. Someone has been telling you tales and
I cannot defend myself, because I don't know what I am accused of.
You must tell me everything right now. I demand it of you.
FRAU BEERMANN. If I wanted to do that, I would have to begin
"many, many years ago ..."
BEERMANN. Well, why didn't you do it then?
FRAU BEERMANN. You can well understand, I had my reasons.
BEERMANN. For such silence there can be no reasons.
FRAU BEERMANN. I could shut my eyes and remain silent. That was my
privilege. But if I had spoken out and permitted you to appease me
... no, that was something beyond me. To do that I would have been
obliged to lie and for that I, for one, have not the ability.
[Beermann makes a motion.
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