Valborg. Do you think so? It doesn't seem so to me. It is an offer that honours the man that made it. (A pause.) Sannaes. I hope he means to accept it? Valborg. I don't know. Sannaes (sadly, after a moment's pause). Then he doesn't mean to? No--I suppose not. Valborg. I honestly don't know. It depends on whether he dare. Sannaes. Whether he dare? Valborg. Yes. (A pause.) Sannaes (evidently very shy of VALBORG). Have you any more orders for me, Miss Valborg? Valborg (with a smile). Orders? I am not giving you orders.--You have offered also to stay with my father for the future. Sannaes. Yes--that is to say, if he wishes me to. Valborg. I don't know. In that case there would be only he and my mother and you; no one else. Sannaes. Indeed? What about the others, then? Valborg. I don't know for certain what my sister means to do--but I am leaving home to-day. Sannaes. Then you are going to-- Valborg.--to try and get a clerkship somewhere. So that it will be a bit lonely for you to be in my father's employment now. (A pause.) I expect you had not thought of it in that light? Sannaes. No--yes--that is to say, your father will have all the more need of me then. Valborg. Indeed he will. But what sort of a prospect is it for you to bind up your fortunes with my father's? The future is so very problematical, you know. Sannaes. What sort of a prospect--? Valborg. Yes, a young man should have some sort of a prospect before him. Sannaes. Yes--of course; that is to say, I only thought that at first it would be so difficult for him. Valborg. But I am thinking of you. Surely you have some plans for the future? Sannaes (embarrassed). Really I would rather not talk about myself. Valborg. But I want to.--You have something else in reserve, then? Sannaes. Well--if I must tell you--I have some well-to-do relations in America who have for a long time wanted me to go over there. I should soon be able to get, a good situation there. Valborg. Indeed?--But why haven't you accepted such a good offer long before this? (SANNAES does not answer.) You must have been sacrificing your best interests by staying so long with us? (SANNAES is still silent.) Any! it will be making a still greater sacrifice to stay with us now-- Sannaes (struggling with his embarrassment). I have never thought of it as being that. Valborg. But my father can scarcely accept so much from you. Sannaes (in alarm). Why not? Valborg. Because it really would be too much.--And, in any case, I shall try to prevent him. Sannaes (almost imploringly). You, Miss Valborg? Valborg. Yes. You must not be misemployed any longer. Sannaes. Misemployed? In what I _myself_ desire so much? Valborg. When I have talked it over with my father, I think he will see my point. Sannaes (anxiously). What do you mean?