pity impress itself deeply upon him and your abominable creature
has preached better to him than all your high-sounding phrases.

BOLLAND. I am simply dumbfounded.

DR. WASNER. Then you even believe that our society exerts a bad
influence?

FRAU LUND [very positively]. Yes.

BOLLAND [with irony]. Fancy! University Professors,
philanthropists and a general who are with us in this work--they
are, of course, the ones who are likely to corrupt the morals of
the younger generation. Frau Lund, no doubt, would like to send
our young men to the good Ladies of the Pavement.

DR. WASNER. In what way is our influence bad?

FRAU LUND [with warmth]. The young man who joins your society does
it only to ape you and to advance his own ends and vainglory. He
forever deprives himself of understanding the meaning of life and
of becoming helpful to those who suffer.

BOLLAND. Well what do you think of such statements?

FRAU BEERMANN. They are splendid. I would be very thankful if my
boy would embody the ideals of Frau Lund.

BEERMANN. Lena, I simply forbid you to say such things.