JULIAN (_more and more deeply moved, but speaking very quietly_) I shall not answer you.--In the end I should instinctively be tempted to make myself appear better than I am. You know very well how I have lived my life--that it has not followed a regulated and direct course like the lives of most other people. I suppose that the gift of bestowing happiness of the kind that lasts, or of accepting it, has never been mine. FELIX That's what I feel. It is what I have always felt. Often with something like regret--or sorrow almost. But just people like you, who are destined by their very nature to have many and varied experiences--just such people should, I think, cling more faithfully and more gratefully to memories of a tender, peaceful sort, like this--rather than to more passionate and saddening memories.--Am I not right? JULIAN Maybe you are. FELIX My mother had never before mentioned this picture to me. Isn't it strange?... That last night she did it for the first time.--We were left alone on the veranda. The rest had already bid me good-by.... And all of a sudden she began to talk about those summer days of long, long ago. Her words had an undercurrent of meanings which she probably did not realize. I believe that her own youth, which she had almost ceased to understand, was unconsciously taking mine into its confidence. It moved me more deeply than I can tell you.--Much as she cared for me, she had never before talked to me like that. And I believe that she had never been quite so dear to me as in those last moments.--And when finally I had to leave, I felt that she had still much more to tell me.--Now you'll understand why I had such a longing to see this picture.--I have almost the feeling that it might go on talking to me as my mother would have done--if I had only dared to ask her one more question! JULIAN Ask it now.... Do ask it, Felix. FELIX (_who becomes aware of the emotion betrayed in the voice of Julian, looks up from the picture_) JULIAN I believe that it can still tell you a great many things. FELIX What is the matter? JULIAN Do you want to keep that picture? FELIX Why...? JULIAN Well ... take it. I don't give it to you. As soon as I have settled down again, I shall want it back. But you shall have a look at it whenever you want. And I hope matters will be so arranged that you won't have far to go either. FELIX (_with his eyes on the picture_) It grows more alive every second.... And that look was directed at you.... That look...? Can it be possible that I read it right? JULIAN Mothers have their adventures, too, like other women. FELIX Yes, indeed, I believe it has nothing more to hide from me. [_He puts down the picture. Then a long pause follows. At last Felix puts on his coat._ JULIAN Are you not going to take it along? FELIX Not just now. It belongs to you much more than I could guess. JULIAN And to you ... FELIX