ke other girls, you know, Svava--to
ensure this, I have been almost incredibly careful that no hint of this
should come to your ears. I believed that to be my duty. You have no
conception what I have stooped to--for your sake, my child.

Svava. But you had no right to do it, mother!

Mrs. Riis. No right?--

Svava. No! To degrade yourself for my sake was to degrade me too.

Mrs. Riis (with emotion). Oh, my God--!

Svava. I do not reproach you for anything, mother! I would not do that
for the world--my dear mother! I am only so infinitely distressed and
appalled at the thought of your having to go about carrying such a
secret with you! Never able to be your real self with me for a moment!
Always hiding something! And to have to listen to my praises of what
so little deserved praise--to see me putting my faith in him, caressing
him--oh, mother, mother!

Mrs. Riis. Yes, dear, I felt that myself--many and many a time. But
I felt that I dared not tell you. It was wrong--so very wrong! I
understand that now! But would you have had me leave him at once, as
soon as I knew of it myself?

Svava. I cannot take upon myself to say. You decided that for yourself.
Each one must decide that for herself--according to the measure of her
love and her strength. But when the thing went on after I was grown
up--! Naturally that was why I made a second mistake. I had been brought
up to make mistakes, you see. (RIIS is heard outside the window, humming
a tune.)

Mrs. Riis. Good heavens, there he is! (RIIS is seen passing the
left-hand window. When he reaches the door, however, he stops and, with
the words, "Oh, by the bye!" turns back and goes hurriedly out.)

Mrs. Riis. You look quite changed, my child! Svava, you frighten me!
Surely you are not going to--?

Svava. What is it that is in your mind, mother?

Mrs. Riis. The thought that, as I have endured so much for your sake,
you might make up your mind to endure a little for mine.

Svava. A little of this? No, not for a moment!

Mrs. Riis. But what are you going to do?

Svava. Go away from here at once, of course.

Mrs. Riis (with a cry). Then I shall go with you!

Svava. You? Away from father?

Mrs. Riis. It has been for your sake that I have stayed with him. I
won't stay here a day without you!--Ah, you don't want me with you!

Svava. Mother, dear--I must have time to accustom myself to the changed
state of things. You have quite changed in my eyes too, you see. I have