ere is mother?

Nordan. My dear girl, you ought not to try and do anything to-day. I
should advise you not to speak to anybody. If you do--well, I don't know
what may happen.

Svava. But I know.--Oh, it is no use talking to me like that! You think
I am simply a bundle of nerves to-day. And it is quite true--I am. But
if you try to thwart me it will only make me worse.

Nordan. I am not trying to thwart you at all. I only--

Svava. Yes, yes, I know.--Where is mother, then? And you must bring
Alfred here. I cannot go to him, can I? Or do you think he has too much
pride to come, after what happened yesterday? Oh, no, he is not like
that! Tell him he must not be proud with one who is so humiliated.
(Bursts into tears.)

Nordan. But do you think you are able for it?

Svava. You don't know how much I can stand! Anyway, I must get done with
it all, quickly. It has lasted long enough.

Nordan. Then shall I ask your mother--?

Svava. Yes!--and will you ask Alfred?

Nordan. Presently, yes. And if you should--

Svava. No, there is no "if" about it!

Nordan.--if you should want me, I won't go away till you are "done with
it all," as you say. (SVAVA goes up to him and embraces him. He goes
out. After a short pause MRS. RIIS comes in.)

Mrs. Riis (going to SVAVA). My child! (Stops.)

Svava. No, mother, I cannot come near you. Besides, I am trembling all
over. And you don't understand what it is? It has not dawned upon you
that you cannot treat me like this?

Mrs. Riis. Treat you like this, Svava? What do you mean?

Svava. Good heavens, mother!--letting me live here day after day, year
after year, without letting me know what I was living with? Allowing me
to preach the strictest principles, from a house like ours? What will
people say of us, now that everything will be known!

Mrs. Riis. Surely you would not have wished me to tell my child that--

Svava. Not while I was a child. But when I had grown up, yes--under any
circumstances! I ought to have been allowed the choice whether I would
live at home under such conditions or not! I ought to have been allowed
to know what every one else knew--or what they may get to know at any
moment.

Mrs. Riis. I have never looked at it in that light.

Svava. Never looked at it in that light? Mother!

Mrs. Riis. Never!--To shield you and have peace in our home while you
were a child, and peace afterwards in your studies, your interests and
your pleasures--for you are not li