DOCTOR. About anything decent people may discuss. Are you ill?
STRANGER (hesitating). Yes.
DOCTOR. Why did you come to me—of all people?
STRANGER. You must guess!
DOCTOR. I refuse to. (Pause.) What do you complain of?
STRANGER (with uncertainty). Sleeplessness.
DOCTOR. That's not a disease, but a symptom. Have you already seen a doctor?
STRANGER. I've been lying ill in an... institution. I was feverish. I've a strange malady.
DOCTOR. What was so strange about it?
STRANGER. May I ask this? Can one go about as usual; and yet be delirious?