ERICSON. Well, it changes, you know. In me it depends on the person with whom I am talking. With decent people I am decent, and with the cruel ones I become like a beast of prey.
STRANGER. But I was talking of her temper under ordinary circumstances.
ERICSON. Well, nothing in particular. Gets angry if you tease her, but comes around after a while. One cannot always have the same temper, of course.
STRANGER. I mean, is she merry or melancholy?
ERICSON. When things go right, she is happy, and when they go wrong, she gets sorry or angry—just like the rest of us.
STRANGER. Yes, but how does she behave?
ERICSON. Oh, what does it matter?—Of course, being an educated person, she behaves politely, but nevertheless, you know, she can get nasty, too, when her blood gets to boiling.
STRANGER. But that doesn't make me much wiser.
ERICSON. [Patting him on the shoulder] No, sir, we never get much wiser when it's a question of human beings.
STRANGER. Oh, you're a marvel!—And how do you like my brother, the dyer? [Pause.