Yes, a short time after we'd given up living together. So I took up medicine at Zuerich, first simply so as to have something against a time of need. But then the thing began to interest me, and now I'm a doctor, heart and soul. LOTH And about this place. How did you get here? DR. SCHIMMELPFENNIG Very simply. When I got through I said to myself: first of all you've got to have a sufficient pile. I thought of America, South and North America, of Africa, Australia and the isles of the sea ... In the end it occurred to me, however, that my escapade had become outlawed; and so I made up my mind to creep back into the old trap. LOTH And how about your Swiss examinations? DR. SCHIMMELPFENNIG Why, I simply had to go through the whole rigmarole once more. LOTH Man! You passed the state medical examination twice over? DR. SCHIMMELPFENNIG Yes, luckily I then discovered this fat pasture here. LOTH Your toughness is certainly enviable. DR. SCHIMMELPFENNIG All very well, unless one collapses suddenly.--Well, it wouldn't matter so greatly after all. LOTH Have you a very large practice? DR. SCHIMMELPFENNIG Oh, yes. Occasionally I don't get to bed till five o'clock in the morning. And at seven my consultation hour begins again. _EDWARD comes in, bringing coffee._ DR. SCHIMMELPFENNIG [_Sitting down at the table, to EDWARD._] Thank you, Edward.--[_To LOTH._]--The way I swill coffee is--uncanny. LOTH You'd better give that up. DR. SCHIMMELPFENNIG What is one to do? [_He takes small swallows._] As I told you awhile ago--another year; then--all this stops. At least, I hope so. LOTH Don't you intend to practice after that at all? DR. SCHIMMELPFENNIG Don't think so. No--no more. [_He pushes back the tray with the dishes and wipes his mouth._] By the way, let's see your hand. [_LOTH holds up both his hands for inspection._] I see. You've taken no wife to your bosom yet. Haven't found one, I suppose. I remember you always wanted primaeval vigour in the woman of your choice on account of the soundness of the strain. And you're quite right, too. If one takes a risk, it ought to be a good one. Or maybe you've become less stringent in that respect. LOTH Not a bit! You may take your oath. DR. SCHIMMELPFENNIG I wish the farmers around here had such notions. But they're in a wretched condition--degeneration along the whole line ... [_He has half taken his cigar case from his inner pocket but lets it slip back and arises as a sound penetrates through the door which is only ajar._] Wait a moment! [_He goes on tiptoe to the door leading to the hall and listens. A door is heard to open and close, and for several moments the moans of the woman in labour are audible. The DOCTOR, turning to LOTH, says softly._] Excuse me! [_And goes out._