any longer. I'll get in
and ride away and Paul will be forced to come along. When I once have
him in Berlin again ...

GLYSZINSKI. And the estate?

HELLA. I'll simply sell that.

GLYSZINSKI (rushes up to her with flaming eyes). Hella!

HELLA (coldly). Well?

GLYSZINSKI. Are you going to leave Paul?

HELLA. How so? What is the matter with you?

GLYSZINSKI (seizes her hand). Can't you leave Paul! My life is at
stake.

HELLA. Dear friend, don't stake your life so foolishly! And release my
hand. I do not want to leave Paul! I haven't the slightest reason to do
so. We agree very well.

GLYSZINSKI (drops his head). Then I was mistaken, after all.

HELLA. Yes, it seems so to me also. You simply do not know what Paul
has been to me. [Pause.] I want to go to work, I still have much to do.
The editorial work is crowding. (Takes several steps.)

PAUL (enters from the right, clad in a riding suit and riding boots,
shakes of the snow and waves his hat vigorously as he speaks). Good
morning, you stay-at-homes! Just see how I look.

HELLA (has turned around at his approach and looks at him). You are
bringing winter in with you, Paul.

PAUL (with dash). That's what I'm doing. I'm bringing winter in with
me. Regular country winter, with ice and snow, such as the city knows
only by hearsay. Don't you envy me?

HELLA (surprised). How so? For what?

PAUL. For what, she asks! Why for all the snow in which I have been
stamping about! For this honest winter mood, that I have not had for so
many years!

HELLA. Where in the world have you been!

PAUL (sits down, facing the fire, and crosses his legs). Far, far away,
I can tell you.

[GLYSZINSKI has risen from his chair and has slowly walked over
toward the left, where he sits down on the sofa and pretends to
become interested in a book.]

HELLA. One can tell that. You are in a beautiful condition.

PAUL (stares into the fire, spinning away at his thoughts). I rode a
great, great distance!... To the border of our possessions!

HELLA. Is that so very far?

PAUL. Very far!... At least it seemed so to me when I was a child.

HELLA. Yes, of course, to a child everything seems larger.

PAUL. But this time it was no delusion! It was really quite a distance.
And I did remain away long enough too.

HELLA (sarcastically). Are you not boasting, Paul? I believe you were
riding around in a circle.

PAUL (waking up). And so I did. Criss cross over the fie