rival? I thought, noting his lame leg and miserable figure. He had taken
to a new and amusing oath: he said _Dod og Pinsel_, [Footnote: A
slight variation of the usual Dod og Pine (death and torture).] and
every time he used that comical expression I laughed aloud. In my misery
I wished to give the fellow every advantage I could, since he was my
rival. I let it be "Doctor" here and "Doctor" there, and called out
myself: "Listen to the Doctor!" and laughed aloud at the things he said.

"I love this world," said the Doctor. "I cling to life tooth and nail.
And when I come to die, then I hope to find a corner somewhere straight
up over London and Paris, where I can hear the rumble of the human
cancan all the time, all the time."

"Splendid!" I cried, and choked with laughter, though I was not in the
least bit drunk.

Edwarda too seemed delighted.

When the guests began to go, I slipped away into the little room at the
side and sat down to wait. I heard one after another saying good-bye on
the stairs; the Doctor also took his leave and went. Soon all the voices
had died away. My heart beat violently as I waited.

Edwarda came in again. At sight of me she stood a moment in surprise;
then she said with a smile:

"Oh, are you there? It was kind of you to wait till the last. I am tired
out now."

She remained standing.