Riis. And what about girls? Are they like that? I am quite sure they do not ask whether their fiances have been married before--observe, I said "married." You can imagine he has been married. Well, why not? That is what other girls do--you cannot deny it. I know you know it. You have been to dances; who are most in request there? Precisely those who have the reputation of being something of a Don Juan. They take the wind out of all the other fellows' sails. You have seen it yourself a hundred times. And it is not only at dances that this applied. Don't you suppose they get married--and as a rule make the very best matches? Mrs. Riis. That is true. Riis. Of course it is true. And as a rule they make the very best husbands, too! Mrs. Riis. Hm! Riis. Oh, indeed they do!--with some exceptions, of course, naturally. The fact is, that marriage has an ennobling influence, and provides a beautiful vocation for a woman--the most beautiful vocation possible! Svava (who has got up). I can just manage to listen to such things from you--because I expected no better from you. Riis. Thank you very much! Svava (who has come forward). One would really think that marriage were a sort of superior wash-house for men-- Riis. Ha, ha! Svava.--and that men could come there and take a dip when they please--and in what state they please! Riis. Oh, really--! Svava. I mean it! And it is flattering--very flattering--for me, as your daughter, to feel that you look upon me as so peculiarly suited for the washerwoman's post! None of that for me, thank you! Riis. But this is-- Svava. No, just listen to me for a little! I don't think I have said too much, the last day or two. Riis. No, we have not been allowed to say a word to you. Svava. Look here, father. You have a fine supply of principles, for show purposes. Riis. For--? Svava. I do not mean by that, that they are not your own. But you are so good and so honourable, your whole life is so refined, that I do not attach the least importance to your principles. But to mother's I do attach importance, for hers are what have formed mine. And now just when I want to act up to them, she deserts me. Riis and Mrs. Riis (together). Svava! Svava. It is mother I am angry with! It is mother I cannot have patience with! Riis. Really, Svava--! Svava. Because if there has been one point on which mother and I have been agreed, it has been on the subject of the unprincipled way men prepare themselves for marriage, and the sort of marriages that are the result. We have watched the course of it, mother and I, for many years; and we had come to one and the same conclusion, that it is _before_ marriage that a marriage is marred. But when, the other day, mother began to turn round-- Mrs. Riis. No, you have no right to say that! I am convinced that Alfred is as honourable--