_Spreta_ (_exasperated_). ALFRED! This is intolerable of you. _Do_ I deserve to be reproached for looking entrancingly beautiful? _Alfred_ (_with sarcasm_). Not in the least--_now_. You are subject to the Law of Change. But what does all that matter? We have _both_ sinned, if you like. While we had him, we both shrank in secret from him--we could not bear to see the tail he dragged about after him! _Spreta_ (_whispers_). You were so perpetually putting paraffin upon it, ALFRED! _Alfred_ (_calmer_). Yes, _that_. I tried to perfect its possibilities. But it was no use--I could never, never make it good again. And after that I dressed him up in military uniform, and then he had to remain too much indoors, so, of course, he followed the VARMINT-BL[=O]K, and then the street curs chevied him over the pier. And after I had trained him so thoroughly to shoulder a musket, he was so totally unable to swim. Oh, it all works out into quite a logical Retribution. And I must go away into the solitudes and writhe with remorse--by myself. _Spreta_ (_bitingly_). Unless, of course, you can induce MOPSA to----I think you mentioned once that she used to follow you about like a little dog? _Alfred_ (_in a hollow voice_). I did. I remember now. That time when the tea-kettle----Retribution! [_He staggers into the thinnest birchstave chair, which collapses under him._ _Spreta_ (_menacingly standing over him_). Yes, ALFRED, Retribution! [MOPSA _and_ BLOCHDRÄHN _return_. _Mopsa_ (_pleasantly_). Well, my dear SPRETA, have you and dear ALFRED talked things thoroughly out? _Spreta._ Oh, yes; quite thoroughly enough, I really will _not_ be left alone with ALFRED any more; he is _too_ depressing! _Alfred_ (_on the ground_). One cannot be expected to rollick when one is being gnawed with remorse! But perhaps BLOCHDRÄHN _would_ be a more cheerful companion for you; go on with him, while MOPSA helps me up again. We'll follow you--presently. [SPRETA _and_ BLOCHDRÄHN _go off together;_ MOPSA _tenderly assists_ ALFRED _to rise_. _Mopsa._ Oh, dear me! it does seem _such_ a pity! But SPRETA always _was_ peculiar. It must be so trying for _you_, dear! _Alfred._ So much so that I can't stand her any longer. I _must_ get away, anywhere--quite alone. MOPSA, will you come _too?_ _Mopsa_ (_shocked_). ALFRED! How _can_ you? What _have_ I said or done to encourage such a proposal? So utterly unexpected! _Alfred_ (_feebly_). I really couldn't help it. It's the troll inside me. What am I saying? That belongs to another Norwegian drama! _Mopsa._ All this part belongs to _several_ other Norwegian dramas, dear. But we must see if we can't get out of the old groove _this_ time! _Alfred._ But why in the world----? When you showed such a wonderful preference for my society, too!