Asta.
Why, dear me, only six or seven weeks——
Rita.
Yes; but you must remember that Alfred has never been away from me before—never so much as twenty-four hours. Not once in all these ten years.
Asta.
No; but that is just why I really think it was high time he should have a little outing this year. He ought to have gone for a tramp in the mountains every summer—he really ought.
Rita.
[Half smiling.] Oh yes, it’s all very well for you to talk. If I were as—as reasonable as you, I suppose I should have let him go before—perhaps. But I positively could not, Asta! It seemed to me I should never get him back again. Surely you can understand that?
Asta.
No. But I daresay that is because I have no one to lose.