y well--I cannot see it like that any longer. I see it, of
course--but always with pain. Always! Am I to forgive that, because
other girls forgive it? What is that they have loved, these other girls?
Can you tell me that? Because what I loved is gone. I am not going to
sit down and try to conjure it up in my imagination again. I shall find
something else to do.

Nordan. You are embittered now. You have had your ideal thoroughly
shattered, and as long as you are smarting from that it is no use
reasoning with you. So I will only beg one thing of you--one single
little thing. But you must promise me to do it?

Svava. If I can.

Nordan. You can. There are things to take into consideration. Ask for
time to think it all over!

Svava. Ah!--mother has been writing to you!

Nordan. And if she has? Your mother knows what depends upon it.

Svava. What depends upon it? Why do you speak so mysteriously, as if we
were not on secure ground? Aren't we? Father talks about giving up this
place. Why?

Nordan. I suppose he thinks it will be necessary.

Svava. Father? On grounds of economy?

Nordan. Not in the least! No, but all the gossips in the place will be
at you. What you propose to do is a regular challenge, you know.

Svava. Oh, we can stand criticism! Father has some queer principles, you
know; but his own life--. Surely no one has any doubt about that?

Nordan. Listen to me, my child. You cannot prevent people inventing
things. So be careful!

Svava. What do you mean?

Nordan. I mean that you ought to go for a stroll in the park and pull
yourself together a little, before the Christensens come. Try to be
calm; come in calmly, and request time to think it over. That is all you
have to do! They will make no difficulty about that, because they must
agree. Nothing has happened yet, and all ways are still open. Do as I
ask!

Svava. I _have_ thought it over--and you will never get me to do
anything else.

Nordan. No, no. It is only a matter of form.

Svava. What? You mean something more than that, I know.

Nordan. What an obstinate girl you are!--Can you not do it then, let me
say, for your mother's sake? Your mother is a good woman.

Svava. What will they think, if I come in and say: "Will you not give me
time to consider the matter?" No, I cannot do that.

Nordan. What will you say, then?

Svava. I would rather say nothing at all. But if I absolutely must say
something--

Nordan. Of course you must!

Svav