Love's Comedy

by Henrik Ibsen

STRAWMAN.
These complications are too much for me.
[Goes toward the background.

AUNTS [to one another].
How in the world came they to disagree?

MRS. HALM
[To GULDSTAD and STIVER, who have been walking
in the garden and now approach.
The spirit of discord's in possession of her.
[Talks aside to them.

MRS. STRAWMAN
[To MISS JAY, noticing that the table is
being laid.
There comes the tea.

MISS JAY [curtly].
Thank heaven.

FALK.
Hurrah! a cheer
For love and friendship, maiden aunts and tea!

STIVER.
But if the case stands thus, the whole proceeding
May easily be ended with a laugh;
All turns upon a single paragraph,
Which bids the wife attend the spouse. No pleading
Can wrest an ordinance so clearly stated—

MISS JAY.
Doubtless, but does that help us to agree?

STRAWMAN.
She must obey a law that heaven dictated.

STIVER.
But Lind can circumvent that law, you see.
[To LIND.
Put off your journey, and then—budge no jot.