Svava. Yes, I am your child. It only needed you to say it like that, for me to feel it deeply. To think of all the experiences we two have had together--all the happy times we have had on our travels, in our amusements--and then to think that I can never look back on them again, never take them up again! That is why I cannot stay here. Riis. You cannot stay here! Svava. It would remind me of everything too painfully. I should see everything in a distorted light. Mrs. Riis. But you will see that you cannot bear to go away, either! Riis. But--I can go! Mrs Riis. You? Riis. Yes, and your mother and you stay here?--Oh, Svava--! Svava. No, I cannot accept that--come what may! Riis. Do not say any more! Svava, I entreat you! Do not make me too utterly miserable! Remember that never, until to-day--I never thought to make you--. If you cannot bear to be with me any more--if you cannot--then let me go away! It is I that am to blame, I know. Listen, Svava! It must be I, not you! You must stay here! Mrs. Riis (listening). Good heavens, there is Alfred! Riis. Alfred! (A pause. ALFRED appears in the doorway.) Alfred (after a moment). Perhaps I had better go away again? Riis (to ALFRED). Go away again?--Go away again, did you say?--No, not on any account! No!--No, you could not have come at a more fortunate moment! My boy, my dear boy! Thank you! Mrs. Riis (to SVAVA). Would you rather be alone--? Svava. No, no, no! Riis. You want to speak to Svava, don't you? I think it will be best for me to leave you together. You need to talk things over frankly with her--to be alone--naturally! You will excuse me, then, if I leave you, won't you? I have something very important to do in town, so you will excuse me! I must hurry and change my clothes--so please excuse me! (Goes into his room.) Alfred. Oh, but I can come some other time. Mrs. Riis. But I expect you would like to talk to her now? Alfred. It is no question of what I would like. I see--and I heard Dr. Nordan say--that Miss Riis is quite worn out. But I felt it my duty, all the same, to call. Svava. And I thank you for doing so! It is more--far more--than I have deserved. But I want to tell you at once that what happened yesterday--I mean, the form my behaviour took yesterday--was due to the fact that, only an hour before then, something had come to my knowledge that I had never known before. And that was mixed up with it. (She can scarcely conceal her emotion.) Alfred. I knew that to-day you would be regretting what happened yesterday--you are so good. And that was my only hope of seeing you again.