Oh, I had forgotten all about it. However, there are people who feel just that way.--I suppose your mother is having a little rest, Miss Johanna? JOHANNA (_who apparently has been startled by the few words exchanged between the physician and Sala, and who is looking intently at the latter_) She is probably awake by this time. Felix is with her. REUMANN Felix...? You haven't telegraphed for him, have you? JOHANNA Not that I know of. Who could have...? REUMANN I only wondered. Your father is inclined to get frightened. JOHANNA There they are now. MRS. WEGRAT (_enters from the veranda with Felix_) How are you, my dear Doctor? What do you think of the surprise I have just had? [_All the men shake hands._ MRS. WEGRAT Good evening, Mr. von Sala. SALA I am delighted to see you looking so well, Mrs. Wegrat. MRS. WEGRAT Yes, I am doing a little better. If only the gloomy season were not so close at hand. SALA But now the finest time of the year is coming. When the woods sparkle with red and yellow, and a golden mist lies on the hills, and the sky grows pale and remote as if it were scared by its own infinity...! MRS. WEGRAT Yes, that ought to be worth seeing once more. REUMANN (_reproachfully_) Mrs. Wegrat.... MRS. WEGRAT Pardon me--but thoughts of that kind will come. (_Brightening up a little_) If I only knew how much longer I might count on my dear doctor? REUMANN I can reassure you on that score, madam: I shall stay in Vienna. MRS. WEGRAT What? Has the matter been settled already? REUMANN Yes. MRS. WEGRAT So another man has actually been called to Gratz? REUMANN No, not that way. But the other man, who was practically sure of the place, has broken his neck climbing a mountain. FELIX But then your chances should be better than ever. Whom could they possibly consider besides you? REUMANN I suppose my chances wouldn't be bad. But I have preferred to forgo them. MRS. WEGRAT How? REUMANN I won't accept the call. MRS. WEGRAT Is that out of superstition? FELIX Or out of pride? REUMANN Neither. But the thought of having another man's misfortune to thank for my own advancement would be extremely painful to me. Half my life would be spoiled for me. That is neither superstition nor pride, you see, but just commonplace, small-minded vanity. SALA You're a subtle one, Doctor. MRS. WEGRAT Well, all I gather is that you are going to stay. Which shows how mean your thoughts grow when you are sick. REUMANN (_changing the subject on purpose_) Well, Felix, how do you find life in a garrison? FELIX Fine. MRS. WEGRAT So you are really satisfied, boy? FELIX I feel very thankful to all of you. Especially to you, mamma. MRS. WEGRAT Why to me especially? After all, the decision lay with your father in the last instance. REUMANN He would, of course, have preferred to see you choose a more peaceful calling. SALA Oh, but to-day there is none more peaceful. FELIX