There's no reason to be precipitate. When does your furlough end? FELIX To-morrow night. SALA Of course, you are going to talk it over with your father? FELIX With my father.... Yes, of course.--At any rate I'll bring you the answer early to-morrow morning, Mr. von Sala. SALA Fine. It would please me very much. But you must bear in mind: it will be no picnic. I expect to see you soon, then. Good-by, Miss Johanna. Farewell, Doctor. [_He goes out. A brief pause. Those left behind show signs of emotion._ JOHANNA (_rising_) I'm going to my room. Good-by, Doctor. (_She goes out_) REUMANN Have you made up your mind, Felix? FELIX Almost. REUMANN You'll come across much that is new to you. FELIX And my own self among it, I hope--which would be about time.... (_Quoting_) "The mysteries of far-away ..." And will it really come true? Oh, the thrill of it! REUMANN And yet you ask time to consider? FELIX I hardly know why. And yet ... The thought of leaving people behind and perhaps never seeing them again--and certainly not as they were when you left them; the thought, too, that perhaps your going will hurt them ... REUMANN If nothing else makes you hesitate, then every moment of uncertainty is wasted. Nothing is more sure to estrange you from those dear to you than the knowledge that duty condemns you to stay near them. You must seize this unique opportunity. You must go to see Genoa, Asia Minor, Thibet, Bactria.... Oh, it must be splendid! And my best wishes will go with you. (_He gives his hand to Felix_) FELIX Thank you. But there will be plenty of time for wishes of that kind. Whatever may be decided, we shall meet more than once before I leave. REUMANN I hope so. Oh, of course! FELIX (_looking hard at him_) Doctor ... it seems to me there was a final farewell in that pressure of your hand. REUMANN (_with a smile_) Is it ever possible to tell whether you will meet again? FELIX Tell me, Doctor--did Mr. von Sala interpret your glance correctly? REUMANN That has nothing to do with your case anyhow. FELIX Will he not be able to go with us? REUMANN (_with hesitation_) That's very hard to predict. FELIX You have never learned to lie, Doctor. REUMANN As the matter stands now, I think you can bring it to a successful conclusion without further assistance. FELIX Mr. von Sala called on you a few days ago? REUMANN Yes, it was only a while ago. (_Pause_) Well, you can see for yourself that he is not well, can't you?--So God be with you, Felix. FELIX Will you continue to befriend this house when I am gone? REUMANN Why do you ask questions like that, Felix? FELIX You don't mean to come here again?--But why? REUMANN I assure you ... FELIX I understand ... REUMANN (_embarrassed_) What can there be to understand...? FELIX My dear Doctor ... I know now ... why you don't want to come to this house any more.... It's another case of somebody else breaking his neck.... Dear friend ... REUMANN