ere talking
about all the things a woman has to learn now, as compared with the old
days, and how some people say it is mere waste of time because she will
forget it all again when she marries. "Yes," said parson, looking very
pleased, "my wife has completely forgotten how to spell; I hope she will
soon forget how to write, too!"

Mrs. Christensen. You imitate people so well, that one cannot help
laughing--although it isn't right. (CHRISTENSEN looks at his watch.)

Riis. It doesn't look as if they were coming back?--Will you go, or
shall I?

Mrs. Riis (getting up). I will go. But you could not expect them
already--

Riis (coming close up to her and speaking in an undertone). This is your
doing! I see it clearly!

Mrs. Riis. I do not think you know what you are saying. (Goes out.)

Riis (coming forward). I really must apologise most humbly! It is the
last thing I should ever have expected of Svava--because I pride myself
that the obligations of courtesy have never been disregarded in my house
before.

Mrs. Christensen. Perhaps something has happened?

Riis. I beg your pardon?--Good heavens!

Mrs. Christensen. Oh, do not misunderstand me! I only mean that
young girls are so easily agitated, and then they do not like to show
themselves.

Riis. All the same, Mrs. Christensen, all the same! At such a moment as
this, too!--You really must excuse me, I shall have no peace till I find
out for myself what has happened! (Hurries out.)

Christensen. If Alfred had been here, I suppose he would have been
running about all over the park after these females, too.

Mrs. Christensen. Really, my dear!

Christensen. Aren't we alone?

Mrs. Christensen. Yes, but still--!

Christensen. Well, I say, as a certain famous man said before me: "What
the devil was he doing in that galley?"

Mrs. Christensen. Do have a moment's patience! It is really necessary.

Christensen. Bah! Necessary! Riis is more afraid of a rupture than any
of us. Did you see him just now?

Mrs. Christensen. Yes, of course I did, but--

Christensen. She has already gone much farther than she has any right
to.

Mrs. Christensen. So Alfred thinks, too.

Christensen. Then he should have been here now, to say so. I asked him
to come.

Mrs. Christensen. He is in love, and that makes a man a little timid.

Christensen. Nonsense!

Mrs. Christensen. Oh, that passes off when one is in love as often as
you are. (Gets up.) Here they come!--No, not Svava