Christensen. We could not get him to come with us.
Riis. I am very sorry!--At the same time, I quite understand.
Christensen. I admire the beauty of this place afresh every time I see it, my dear sir!
Mrs. Christensen. This beautiful old park! I wanted once--. Oh, good morning, doctor! How are you?
Riis (to MARGIT). Please tell Mrs. Riis. And--oh, there she is. (MRS. RIIS comes in by the door at the left.) And tell Miss Svava.
Nordan. She is out in the park (pointing)--out that way. (Exit MARGIT.)
Riis. No, this way!--That's right! Go straight on till you find her.
Mrs. Christensen (who meantime has come forward with MRS. RIIS). I have been thinking so much about you the last day or two, my dear! What a tiresome business this is!
Mrs. Riis. Do you mind my asking if you knew anything about it before?
Mrs. Christensen. What is there that a mother--and a wife--escapes the knowledge of nowadays, my dear! She was in my service, you know. Come here! (Tells MRS. RIIS something in a whisper, ending with something about "discovery" and "dismissal.")
Riis (offering the ladies chairs). Won't you sit down?--Oh, I beg your pardon! I did not see--. (Hurries to CHRISTENSEN.) Excuse me, but are you really comfortable in that chair?
Christensen. Thank you, I am just as uncomfortable here as anywhere else. It is the sitting down and getting up again that bothers me more than anything else. (Looks round.) I have just been to see him.
Riis. Thank heaven for that! Then we have only ourselves to consider. I suppose it cost you a bit?
Christensen. Yes, didn't I? Still, as a matter of fact, he has cost me quite enough already--although he knows nothing about that.
Christensen. And I didn't think I should hear any more about it after that.--You ladies seem to be having a fine game of whispering! (MRS. CHRISTENSEN comes forward. RIIS places chairs for her and his wife.)
Mrs. Christensen. I was telling Mrs. Riis about the Miss Tang affair. She really seems to have risen from her grave!
Christensen. Is your daughter at home, may I ask?
Mrs. Christensen. I hope the last few days have taught her a lesson too, poor girl! She suffers from a fault that unusually clever people are very liable to--I mean self-righteousness.