facts in life remain a closed book to them. We, men, unfortunately
have to come into contact with them.

HAUSER. Did you say UNFORTUNATELY?

DR. WASNER. Please don't interrupt. I maintain "unfortunately"!
For the last four years, I have been persistently following
obscene literature, and to-day I have gotten together a collection
of it, which I dare say is pretty complete. So I am speaking of
matters about which I am thoroughly informed. [With importance.]
The degree of vulgarity our people have reached is incredible.

FRAU LUND. And you have been the "persistent collector" of this
vulgarity?

DR. WASNER. Let me assure you that I took upon myself this task
with loathing.

HAUSER. Herr Professor, in all my life I have never met a man who
for four years voluntarily did something which was loathsome to
him.

DR. WASNER. You have no business to make such a remark.

HAUSER. Have you derived no satisfaction from it at all?

DR. WASNER. Satisfaction--if you mean the satisfaction of
participating in the uplift of our people.

FRAU LUND. Uplift? Our reformers capitalize our national lack of