Riis. He is more lively than he was, at any rate—in my eyes.
Svava. Yes, I saw you laughing together last night. What was it?
Riis. We were discussing the best way of getting through the world. I gave him my three famous rules of life.
Mrs. Riis and Svava (together). Already!
Riis. They were a great success. Do you remember them, you bad girl?
Svava. Rule number one: Never make a fool of yourself.
Riis. Rule number two: Never be a burden to any one.
Svava. Rule number three: Always be in the fashion. They are not very hard to remember, because they art neither obscure nor profound.
Riis. But all the harder to put into practice! And thus is a great virtue in all rules of life.—I congratulate you on your new morning frock. Under the circumstances it is really charming.
Svava. "Under the circumstances" means, I suppose, considering that you have had no hand in it.