Svava. But there was something you wanted to
say to me?
Hoff. Yes, there was. You see, these Kindergartens—
Svava. Oh, so it was them, all the time?
Hoff. No, it was not them. But they are
responsible for my having for a long time thought
very highly of you, Miss Riis. If you will excuse
my saying so, I had never before seen fashionable
young ladies trying to do anything useful—never.
I am only a little broken-down tradesman travelling
for a firm—a worthless sort of chap in
many ways, and one that very likely deserves what
he has got—but anyway I wanted you to be
spared. Indeed thought it was my duty—absolutely
my duty. But now when I see you sitting there
before me—well, now I only I feel miserably
unhappy. So I won’t trouble you at all (Gets
up.) Not at all.
Svava. I really cannot understand—
Hoff. Please don’t bother about me!
And please forgive my disturbing you.—No,
you really must not give me another thought!
Just imagine that I have not been here—that
is all. (As he reaches the door, he meets ALFRED coming
in. As soon as he sees that SVAVA is watching
them, he goes hurriedly out. SVAVA sees the meeting
between the two and gives a little scream, then rushes
to meet ALFRED. But as soon as she is face to face
with him, she seems terrified. As he comes nearer
to take her in his arms she cries out: “Don’t
touch me!” and hurries out by the door on the
left. She is heard locking and bolting it on the
inside. Then a violent outburst of weeping is
heard, the sound being somewhat deadened by the distance,
but only for a few moments. Then the sound of
singing is heard outside, and a few seconds later
RIIS comes into the room. The curtain falls as
he enters.)
(SCENE.—The same as in Act I. SVAVA is
lying on the couch to the right, resting her head
on one hand, looking out towards the park. Her
mother is sitting beside her.)
Mrs. Riis. Decisions as hasty as yours, Svava,
are not really decisions at all. There is always
a great deal more to be taken into consideration than
one realises at first. Take time to think it
over! I believe he is a fine fellow. Give
him time to show it; don’t break it off immediately!
Svava. Why do you keep on saying that to me?
Mrs. Riis. Well, dear, you know I have never
had the chance of saying anything to you till to-day.
Svava. But you keep harping on that one string.
Mrs. Riis. What note do you want me to strike,
then?
Svava. The note your dear good mother would have
struck—quite a different one altogether.
Mrs. Riis. It is one thing to teach your child
how to make a proper choice in life, but—
Svava. But quite another thing to put into practice
what you teach?
Mrs. Riis. No; I was going to say that life itself
is quite another thing. In daily life, and especially
in married life, it is sometimes advisable to make
allowances.
