They come to me at night when I can't sleep. I am not made sad by them, and I believe that I sleep better after them. Is it sinful, Mother, to have such thoughts?
Frau Bergmann.
Go hang the long dress up in the closet. Put on your short dress again, in God's name!—I will put another depth of ruffles on it.
Wendla.
(Hanging the dress in the closet.)
No, I would rather be twenty at once——!
Frau Bergmann.
If only you are not too cold!——The dress was long enough for you in its time, but——
Wendla.
Now, when summer is coming?——Mother, when one is a child, one doesn't catch diphtheria in one's knees! Who would be so cowardly. At my age one doesn't freeze—least of all in the legs. Would it be any better for me to be too warm, Mother? Give thanks to God if some day your darling doesn't tear out the sleeves and come to you at twilight without her shoes and stockings!—If I wore my long dress I should dress like an elfin queen under it.—Don't scold, Mother! Nobody sees it any more.