(Grossmann rises and looks at the objects which have fallen on the table.)
Sakhatov. Excuse me, excuse me! I should like to see whether the medium is not doing it all himself.
Leonid Fédorovich. Do you think so? Then sit down near him, and hold his hands. But you may be sure he is asleep.
Sakhátov (walks over, catches with his head into the thread, which Tánya has lowered, and stoops in fright). Yes! Strange, strange! (Goes up, takes Semén by the elbow. Semén bellows.)
Professor (to Leoníd Fédorovich). Do you hear how Grossmann's presence affects him? A new phenomenon,—I must note it down— (Runs out of the room, notes it down, and returns.)
Leoníd Fédorovich. Yes. But we ought not to leave Nicholas without an answer. We ought to begin—
Grossmann (gets up, walks over to Semén, raises and drops his hand). Now it would be interesting to produce a contracture. The subject is in a state of absolute hypnosis.
Professor (to Leoníd Fédorovich). Do you see, do you see?
Grossmann. If you wish—
Doctor. Permit, sir, Aleksyéy Vladímirovich to go through with it: it is a serious matter.
Professor. Leave him alone! He is already speaking in his sleep.
Stout Lady. How glad I am I have decided to stay! It frightens me, but still I am glad, because I always told my husband—
Leoníd Fédorovich. I beg you to keep quiet.
(Tánya passes the thread over the head of the Stout Lady.)
Stout Lady. Ouch!
Leoníd Fédorovich. What, what is it?
