ADOLPH. [On his feet] Why? There must be a reason.
TEKLA. The reason is that I have promised to be at the concert to- night.
ADOLPH. Oh, that's it!
TEKLA. Yes, that's it. I have promised to attend—
ADOLPH. Promised? Probably you said only that you might go, and that wouldn't prevent you from saying now that you won't go.
TEKLA. No, I am not like you: I keep my word.
ADOLPH. Of course, promises should be kept, but we don't have to live up to every little word we happen to drop. Perhaps there is somebody who has made you promise to go.
TEKLA. Yes.
ADOLPH. Then you can ask to be released from your promise because your husband is sick.
TEKLA, No, I don't want to do that, and you are not sick enough to be kept from going with me.