Riis. Do not say any more! Svava, I entreat you! Do not make me too utterly miserable! Remember that never, until to-day—I never thought to make you—. If you cannot bear to be with me any more—if you cannot—then let me go away! It is I that am to blame, I know. Listen, Svava! It must be I, not you! You must stay here!
Mrs. Riis (listening). Good heavens, there is Alfred!
Riis. Alfred! (A pause. ALFRED appears in the doorway.)
Alfred (after a moment). Perhaps I had better go away again?
Riis (to ALFRED). Go away again?—Go away again, did you say?—No, not on any account! No!—No, you could not have come at a more fortunate moment! My boy, my dear boy! Thank you!
Mrs. Riis (to SVAVA). Would you rather be alone—?
Svava. No, no, no!
Riis. You want to speak to Svava, don't you? I think it will be best for me to leave you together. You need to talk things over frankly with her—to be alone—naturally! You will excuse me, then, if I leave you, won't you? I have something very important to do in town, so you will excuse me! I must hurry and change my clothes—so please excuse me! (Goes into his room.)
Alfred. Oh, but I can come some other time.
Mrs. Riis. But I expect you would like to talk to her now?