ACT II
The room is empty. It is lighted partly by a lamp, with a red shade, placed in the arch of the stairway, but principally from the open doors of the side room. Here the company is seated at table, as is evident from the ringing of glasses and clatter of plates, knives and forks.
[Ida, followed at once by William, comes out of the side room.
Ida.
At last! (Coaxingly.) And now, you must think of your father, Willy. Don’t be angry with me, but since you have a favour to ask your father, you mustn’t wait till he comes down to you.
William.
Did father think of coming down to dinner?
Ida.
Of course! Mamma has—
[William seizes Ida suddenly in his arms and presses her to him impulsively with passionate strength.