MRS. RIES

You are too excited. You must control
yourself, my child ! You can't stand this !

SVAVA

I shall never have peace again !

MRS. RIES

Where have you been ?



70



SVAVA

Oh, didn't you guess ? And you talk of a
party ! You looked so shocked, that you made
me say ' yes ' too ! There can be no question
of a party here. Besides, why should we give
one now ?

MRS. RIES

You surely wouldn't have sent all those
children away with such a rebuff? I was on
thorns.
SVAVA

Well, it makes no difference to me !
Nothing can make any difference now !



MRS. RIES

Yes ; but we can't put off the party. We
owe it to ourselves as much as to the Christen-
sens ! Here comes papa !



Papa too ! Well, let him come ! . . . though
I feel so weak, so dizzy ! I can't begin a fight
now : but I know well enough what he wants.
71

The Fourth Scene
As htfore, Eies enters from the back.
RIES

[To Svava,"] Oh ! are you there ? Why,
Svava, what are you thinking of? [He comes
nearer,'] Now listen, my dear girl! Let me
tell you, that Mr. Christensen has just tele-
phoned to my office, asking if I am at home.
[He looks at his watch,'] In a minute he will
be here.
SVAVA

I won't speak to him !

[She makes as if to go away,

RIES

Very well ! But you must stop here and
speak to me \ Wait a moment ! I 'm only
going into my room to put away my new hat.
