Hilmar: Ah, I see you have been crying, so I suppose you know all
about it too?

Mrs. Bernick: Know all about what?

Hilmar: That the scandal is in full swing. Ugh!

Bernick: What do you mean?

Hilmar (coming into the room): Why, that our two friends from
America are displaying themselves about the streets in the
company of Dina Dorf.

Mrs. Bernick (coming in after him): Hilmar, is it possible?

Hilmar: Yes, unfortunately, it is quite true. Lona was even so
wanting in tact as to call after me, but of course I appeared not
to have heard her.

Bernick: And no doubt all this has not been unnoticed.

Hilmar: You may well say that. People stood still and looked at
them. It spread like wildfire through the town--just like a
prairie fire out West. In every house people were at the windows
waiting for the procession to pass, cheek by jowl behind the
curtains--ugh! Oh, you must excuse me, Betty, for saying "ugh"--
this has got on my nerves. If it is going on, I shall be forced
to think about getting right away from here.