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 fields, taking ditches, helter skelter as it were, right through the dense snow.