ve killed it systematically!

HELLA. I? What else, pray tell!

PAUL. Yes, by forever considering only yourself and never me! That
could not help but stifle all my feelings in time. I fought against it
as long as I could, Hella, but it had to come to an end some time.

HELLA. And I went about without misgivings, while behind my back a
conspiracy was forming ...

PAUL (shrugging his shoulders). Who conspired?

HELLA. All of you! This whole owl's nest of a house was in league
against me! You had conspired against me, you and your ilk, simply
because I was superior to you, that's the reason why you wanted to
shoulder me off! Do you suppose I don't realize that? Very well, let
baseness prevail! I am willing to retreat!

PAUL. It always has been your trick, Hella, to play the part of
offended innocence! It is well that you are reminding me of that in
this hour! You are making the step easier for me than I had hoped.

HELLA. This is the thanks!

PAUL. Thanks!... How in the world could you expect thanks?

HELLA (with infuriated hatred). Because I made a _human being_
of you!

PAUL (starting up). Hella, you are making use of _words_!

HELLA (beside herself). Yes, made a _human_ being of you. I will repeat
it ten times over!

PAUL. Won't you kindly call in the whole estate with your shrieking.

HELLA. The whole world, for all I care! What were you when you came
into my hands? A crude student, utterly helpless, whom I directed into
the proper channels, _I_, single handed! Without me you would have gone
to the dogs or you might have become one of those novelists whom no one
reads! I was the first one to put sound ideas in your head, roused your
talent and pointed out to you all that is really _demanded_. Through me
you attained a name and reputation, and now that you are fortunate
enough to be that far along, you go and throw yourself away upon a
Polish goose, you ... you?

PAUL (as if under a lash). There are limits to all things, Hella, even
to consideration for your sex! Do not assume that you still have me in
your power. It has lasted fifteen years. It is over today. Do you
suppose I ought to thank you for sapping everything from me, my
will-power, my strength, my real talents, all the faith in love and
beauty that was once in me, which you have systematically driven out
with your infernal leveling process? Where shall I ever find a trace of
all that again? I might seek for a hundred years and not strike that