endliness of others increases it. I was thinking
to-day over all the things that gave me so much happiness yesterday, and
felt--oh, I can't tell you what I felt! (Nestles in her mother's arms.)

Mrs. Riis. You are a very lucky girl!--Now I must go and do my
housekeeping.

Svava. Shall I help you?

Mrs. Riis. No, thank you, dear. (They cross the room together.)

Svava. Well, then, I will run through father's song once or twice--and
Alfred should be here directly. (MRS. RIIS goes out by the door on the
left. SVAVA sits down at the piano. ALFRED comes in softly from the
left, and bends over her shoulder so that his face comes close to hers.)

Alfred. Good morning, darling!

Svava (jumping up). Alfred! I did not hear the door!

Alfred. Because you were playing. Something very pretty, too!

Svava. I enjoyed myself so much yesterday!

Alfred. I do not believe you have any idea what an impression you made!

Svava. Just a suspicion. But you must not talk about that, because it
would be most improper for me to confess it!

Alfred. Every one was singing your praises to me, and a mother and
father too. We are all very happy at how, to-day.

Svava. So we are here!--What is that you have got in your hand? A
letter?

Alfred. Yes, a letter. Your maid who opened the door gave it to me.
Someone has been clever enough to count upon my coming here some time
this morning.

Svava. You don't think that was difficult to guess?

Alfred. Not particularly. It is from Edward Hansen.

Svava. But you can take a short cut to his house through our park.
(Points to the right.)

Alfred. Yes, I know. And as he says it is urgent, and underlines the
word--

Svava.--you can have my key. Here it is. (Gives it to him.)

Alfred. Thank you, dear, very much.

Svava. Oh, it is only selfishness; we shall have you back again all the
sooner.

Alfred. I will stay here till lunch time.

Svava. You will stay here a great deal longer than that. We have a
frightful lot to talk about--all about yesterday, and--

Alfred. Of course we have!

Svava. And lots of other things as well.

Alfred. I have a most important question to ask you.

Svava. Have you?

Alfred. Perhaps you will find the answer by the time I come back.

Svava. It can't be so very difficult, then!

Alfred. Indeed it is. But sometimes you have inspirations.

Svava. What is it?

Alfred. Why did we two not find each other many years ago?

Svava. Because we were not read