Nordan. You are embittered now. You have had your ideal thoroughly shattered, and as long as you are smarting from that it is no use reasoning with you. So I will only beg one thing of you--one single little thing. But you must promise me to do it? Svava. If I can. Nordan. You can. There are things to take into consideration. Ask for time to think it all over! Svava. Ah!--mother has been writing to you! Nordan. And if she has? Your mother knows what depends upon it. Svava. What depends upon it? Why do you speak so mysteriously, as if we were not on secure ground? Aren't we? Father talks about giving up this place. Why? Nordan. I suppose he thinks it will be necessary. Svava. Father? On grounds of economy? Nordan. Not in the least! No, but all the gossips in the place will be at you. What you propose to do is a regular challenge, you know. Svava. Oh, we can stand criticism! Father has some queer principles, you know; but his own life--. Surely no one has any doubt about that? Nordan. Listen to me, my child. You cannot prevent people inventing things. So be careful! Svava. What do you mean? Nordan. I mean that you ought to go for a stroll in the park and pull yourself together a little, before the Christensens come. Try to be calm; come in calmly, and request time to think it over. That is all you have to do! They will make no difficulty about that, because they must agree. Nothing has happened yet, and all ways are still open. Do as I ask! Svava. I _have_ thought it over--and you will never get me to do anything else. Nordan. No, no. It is only a matter of form. Svava. What? You mean something more than that, I know. Nordan. What an obstinate girl you are!--Can you not do it then, let me say, for your mother's sake? Your mother is a good woman. Svava. What will they think, if I come in and say: "Will you not give me time to consider the matter?" No, I cannot do that. Nordan. What will you say, then? Svava. I would rather say nothing at all. But if I absolutely must say something-- Nordan. Of course you must! Svava. Well, I will go out now and think it over. (Turns to go, but stops.) But what you want can never be. Nordan. It must be! Svava (standing by the door). You said just now: "Your mother is a good woman." It sounded almost as if you laid stress on the word "mother"? Nordan. Suppose I did? Svava. Is father not that, too? Nordan. Your father a good woman? Svava. Why do you try to turn it off with a joke? Nordan. Because it is serious, confound it all! Svava. Can I not believe father--? Nordan. Hush! Svava. Father?--Is it possible that he too--? Do people say that? (NORDAN does not answer, and does not move.) Shameful! Impossible! I say it is impossible! (Rushes out. RIIS comes in from the right.) Riis. What is the matter with Svava? Nordan (coming forward). There was nothing else for it. Riis. Nothing else for it? What do you mean? Nordan. No, devil take it!--there was nothing else for it.