in my study.

RITA. No peace! Why, who disturbed you?

ALLMERS. [Shaking his head.] No one from without. But I felt as
though I were positively abusing--or, say rather, wasting--my best
powers--frittering away the time.

ASTA. [With wide eyes.] When you were writing at your book?

ALLMERS. [Nodding.] For I cannot think that my powers are confined
to that alone. I must surely have it in me to do one or two other
things as well.

RITA. Was that what you sat there brooding over?

ALLMERS. Yes, mainly that.

RITA. And so that is what has made you so discontented with
yourself of late; and with the rest of us as well. For you know you
were discontented, Alfred.

ALLMERS. [Gazing straight before him.] There I sat bent over my
table, day after day, and often half the night too--writing and
writing at the great thick book on "Human Responsibility." H'm!

ASTA. [Laying her hand upon his arm.] But, Alfred--that book is to
be your life-work.

RITA. Yes, you have said so often enough.