n. Really? Then I see how things stand. You are a tough customer,
you are!

Svava. Oh, don't begin saying a lot of things you don't mean, uncle.

Nordan. Things I don't mean!

Svava. You always do, you know. But we haven't time for that now. I am
all on fire!

Nordan. Well, what is this you have been doing?

Svava. Ah, you see, you are beginning again!

Nordan. Beginning again? Who the devil has put the idea into your head
that I ever say anything but what I mean? Come and let us sit down.
(Brings a chair forward.)

Svava (bringing her chair close to his). There now!

Nordan. Since I was here last, I believe you have promulgated a
brand-new law on the subject of love? I congratulate you.

Svava. Have I?

Nordan. A superhuman, Svava-woven one--derived from seraphic heights,
I should imagine! "There shall be only one love in a man's life, and it
shall be directed only to one object." Full stop!

Svava. Have I said anything like that?

Nordan. Is it not you that have thrown over a young man because he has
had the audacity to fall in love before he saw you?

Svava. Do you take it in that way, too?

Nordan. In that way? Is there any other way for a sensible man to take
it? A fine young fellow honesty, adores you; a distinguished family
throw their doors wide open to you, as if you were a princess; and then
you turn round and say: "You have not waited for me ever since you were
a child! Away with you!"

Svava (springing up). What, you too! You too! And the same talk! The
same stupid talk!

Nordan. I can tell you what it is; if you do not give consideration to
everything that can be said on the other side, you are stupid.--No, it
is no use going away from me and marching up and down! I shall begin and
march up and down too, if you do! Come here and sit. Or _daren't_ you go
thoroughly into the question with me?

Svava. Yes, I dare. (Sits down again.)

Nordan. Well, to begin with, do you not think there must certainly be
two sides to a question that is discussed by serious men and women all
over the world?

Svava. This only concerns me! And as far as I am concerned there is only
one side to it.

Nordan. You do not understand me, child! You shall settle your own
affairs ultimately, and nobody else--of course. But suppose what you
have to settle is not quite so simple as you think it? Suppose it is a
problem that at the present moment is exercising the minds of thousands
and thousands of people? Do you n