“Shut up your notebook—I am not going out at all. I am expecting a caller. All that you have told me seems to me so trivial, so trivial.... Frau Eleonore, I am at the turning-point of my life....”
“You are to be married!... I ought to have been prepared for it, but it is a hard blow for me.
“No. I am not to be married. Yet, would that affect you so?”
“Of course, because you would not need my services any longer.”
“I shall need you more than ever.... I want you to accompany me on my journeys.”
“What journeys?”
“I will explain it all to you later. Meanwhile I will ask you to give orders that I am at home to no one, absolutely no one, with the exception of Mr. Helmer.”
“That is an extraordinary order—what will your servants think. Especially this Mr. Helmer.... I wanted to tell you, the other day, when I found you tête-à-tête with him, that it is not at least very good form for you to....”
“Frau Eleonore,” interrupted Franka, “I look on you as my companion—a very pleasant companion—who may very possibly become my friend—but not a governess, please!”
Frau Eleonore bit her lips. “Pardon me! Older people always believe themselves justified in giving younger ones advice on the ground of their experience—it is a bad habit.”