Once, when we were in the museum together, I saw a picture of which I often think. It has a meadow with knights and ladies in it--and a forest, a vineyard, an inn, and young men and women dancing, and a big city with churches and towers and bridges. And soldiers are marching across the bridges, and a ship is gliding down the river. And farther back there is a hill, and on that hill a castle, and lofty mountains in the extreme distance. And clouds are floating above the mountains, and there is mist on the meadow, and a flood of sunlight is pouring down on the city, and a storm is raging over the castle, and there is ice and snow on the mountains.--And when anybody spoke of "the wide world," or I read that term anywhere, I used always to think of that picture. And it used to be the same with so many other big-sounding words. Fear was a tiger with cavernous mouth--love was a page with long light curls kneeling at the feet of a lady--death was a beautiful young man with black wings and a sword in his hand--and fame was blaring bugles, men with bent backs, and a road strewn with flowers. In those days it was possible to talk of all sorts of things, Felix. But to-day everything has a different look--fame, and death, and love, and the wide world. FELIX (_hesitatingly_) I feel a little scared on your behalf, Johanna. JOHANNA Why, Felix? FELIX Johanna!--I wish you wouldn't do anything to worry father. JOHANNA Does that depend on me alone? FELIX I know in what direction your dreams are going, Johanna.--What is to come out of that? JOHANNA Is it necessary that something comes out of everything?--I think, Felix, that many people are destined to mean nothing to each other but a common memory. FELIX You have said it yourself, Johanna--that you are not made to see other people suffer. JOHANNA (_shrinks slightly at those words_) FELIX Suffer ... and ... JULIAN (_enters_) How are you? (_He shakes hands with Felix_) JOHANNA (_who has risen_) Mr. Fichtner. (_She holds out her hand to him_) JULIAN I could hardly recognize you, Johanna. You have grown into a young lady now.--Has your father not come home yet? JOHANNA He hasn't gone out yet. He has nothing to do at the Academy until twelve. JULIAN I suppose he's in his studio? JOHANNA I'll call him. [_Julian looks around. As Johanna is about to leave the room, Wegrat enters, carrying his hat and stick._ WEGRAT (_giving his hand to Julian_) I'm delighted, my dear fellow. JULIAN I heard of it only after my arrival here yesterday--through Sala. I don't need to tell you ... WEGRAT Thank you very much for your sympathy. I thank you with all my heart.--But sit down, please. JULIAN You were going out? WEGRAT Oh, it's no hurry. I have nothing to do in the Academy until twelve. Johanna, will you please get a carriage for me, just to be on the safe side? [_Johanna goes out. Wegrat seats himself, as does Julian. Felix stands leaning against the glazed oven._ WEGRAT