LOVE AND BREAD

BY AUGUST STRINDBERG

Copyright, 1907, by P. F. Collier & Son.

When young Gustaf Falk, the assistant councilor, made his ceremonial proposal for Louise’s hand to her father, the old gentleman’s first question was: “How much are you earning?”

“Not more than a hundred kroner[4] a month. But Louise—”

“Never mind the rest,” interrupted Falk’s prospective father-in-law; “you don’t earn enough.”

“Oh, but Louise and I love each other so dearly! We are so sure of one another.”

“Very likely. However, let me ask you: is twelve hundred a year the sum total of your resources?”

“We first became acquainted at Lidingö.”