istensen. They are that, I admit.

Nordan. When all of a sudden they fall madly in love with one another,
what are you to do?

Christensen. Oh, rake up all sorts of stories and exaggerations--create
a scandal!

Nordan. Indeed, I must confess--what as a matter of fact I have
said--that I have become accustomed to things not being exactly as they
should be in that respect. I looked upon these young people's engagement
in the same light as I have looked on others--on most others--that is
cruel to say, as a lottery. It might turn out well; on the other hand it
might turn out very badly.

Mrs. Riis. And you were willing to risk my daughter, whom you are
so fond of--for I know you are fond of her--in a lottery? Could one
possibly have a clearer proof of the real state of things?

Nordan. Yes, certainly! You yourself, Mrs. Riis--what did you do?

Mrs. Riis. I--?

Christensen. Bravo!

Nordan. You knew what Hoff had said--and more too. (CHRISTENSEN laughs
quietly.) Nevertheless you helped your husband, if not actually to try
and get her to overlook it, at all events to smooth things over.

Christensen. Bravo!

Nordan. And you called in my help to induce her to take time to think it
over.

Christensen. Mothers observe a considerable difference between theory
and practice in these matters, I notice.

Nordan. It was only when I saw how deeply it affected Svava--what
a horror she had of it--that my eyes were opened. And the longer I
listened to her, the more sympathy I felt for her; for I was young
myself once--and loved. But that was such a long time ago--and I have
grown tired--

Mrs. Riis (who has sat down at the little table). My God!

Nordan. Yes, Mrs. Riis. Let me tell you candidly--it is the mothers, and
no one else, that by degrees have made me callous. Mothers look upon the
whole thing so callously. The fact is that as a rule they know what is
what.

Christensen. That they do, the dear creatures! And Mrs. Riis is no
exception to the rule. You must admit, my dear madam, that you did all
you could to hold on to a young man who had had a lively past? Not to
mention the fact that this same young man had an extremely good social
position--a thing I only allude to incidentally.

Nordan. Exactly. Rather than not give their daughters a prospect of what
they call "a good marriage" they straightway forget all that they have
suffered themselves.

Mrs. Riis. You see, we do not know that it will turn out the same