tainment.

Nordan. Is Svava up?

Mrs. Riis. She is out bathing.

Nordan. Already? Did you come home early, then?

Mrs. Riis. At about twelve, I think. Svava wanted to come home. My
husband was late, I think.

Nordan. The card tables. She looked radiant, I suppose, eh?

Mrs. Riis. Why didn't you come?

Nordan. I never go to betrothal parties, and I never go to
Weddings--never! I can't bear the sight of the poor victims in their
veils and wreaths.

Mrs. Riis. But, my dear doctor, you surely think--as we all do--that
this will be a happy marriage?

Nordan. He is a fine lad. But, all the same--I have been taken in so
often.--Oh, well!

Mrs. Riis. She was so happy, and is just as happy to-day.

Nordan. It is a pity I shall not see her. Good-bye, Mrs. Riis.

Mrs. Riis. Good-bye, doctor. Then you are off to-day?

Nordan. Yes, I need a change of air.

Mrs. Riis. Quite so. Well, I hope you will enjoy yourself--and, many
thanks for what you have done!

Nordan. It is I ought to thank you, my dear lady! I aim vexed not to be
able to say good-bye to Svava. (Goes out. MRS. RIIS takes up a magazine
from the table on the left and settles herself comfortably on a couch
from which she can see into the park. During what follows she reads
whenever opportunity allows. RIIS comes in through the door to the
right, in his shirt sleeves and struggling with his collar.)

Riis. Good morning! Was that Nordan that went out just now?

Mrs. Riis. Yes. (RIIS crosses the room, then turns back and disappears
through the door on the right. He comes back again immediately and goes
through the same proceeding, all the tine busy with his collar.) Can I
help you at all?

Riis. No--thanks all the same! These new-fangled shirts are troublesome
things. I bought some in Paris.

Mrs. Riis. Yes, I believe you have bought a whole dozen.

Riis. A dozen and a half. (Goes into his room, comes out again in
apparently the same difficulties, and walks about as before.) As a
matter of fact I am wondering about something.

Mrs. Riis. It must be something complicated.

Riis. It is--it is. No doubt of it!--This collar is the very--Ah,
at last! (Goes into his room and comes out again, this time with his
necktie in his hand.) I have been wondering--wondering--what our dear
girl's character is made up of?

Mrs. Riis. What it is made up of?

Riis. Yes--what characteristics she gets from you and what from me, and
so forth. In what respects, that is