Mother. Look here, my girl; I know what your name is, and who you are, even though I haven’t had the privilege of being introduced to you, but I should really like to know what a girl of your years has got to teach a woman of mine.
Lise. Who knows? For the last six years, since my mother died, I have spent all my time in bringing up my young sisters and brothers, and I’ve found out that there are people who never learn anything from life, however old they get.
Mother. What do you mean?
Lise. I mean this. Your daughter has now got an opportunity of taking her place in- the world; of either getting recognition for her talent or of contracting an alliance with a young man in good position.
Mother. That sounds all very fine, but what do you propose to do about me?
Lise. You’re not the point, your daughter is! Can’t you think about her for a single minute without immediately thinking of yourself?
Mother. Ah, but, mind you, when I think of myself I think of my daughter at the same time, because she has learned to love her mother.
Lise. I don’t think so. She depends on you because you’ve shut her off from all the rest of the world, and she must have someone to depend on, since you’ve stolen her away from her father.
Mother. What’s that you say?
Lise. That you took the child away from her father when he refused to marry you, because you hadn’t been faithful to him. You then prevented him from seeing his child, and avenged your own misconduct on him and upon your child.