PETER.  Katie’s blossoming like a rose.  Have you noticed how she’s coming out lately, James?

JAMES.  Yes, sir.

PETER.  You’ve noticed it, too? [Picks up another letter, looking over it.

JAMES.  Yes, sir.

PETER. [Pausing, taking off his eye-glasses and holding them on his thumb.  Philosophically.] How prettily Nature accomplishes her will—­ making a girl doubly beautiful that a young man may yield his freedom the more easily.  Wonderful! [During the following, he glances over letters.] A young girl is like a violet sheltered under a bush, James; and that is as it should be, isn’t it?

JAMES.  No, sir, I don’t think so.

PETER. [Surprised.] What?

JAMES.  I believe people should think for themselves—­not be....

PETER.  Go on.

JAMES. —­er—­

PETER.  Well?

JAMES. [Remembering his promise to CATHERINE.] Nothing.

PETER.  Go on, James.

JAMES.  I mean swallowed up.

PETER.  Swallowed up?  Explain yourself, James.

JAMES.  I shouldn’t have mentioned it.

PETER.  Certainly, certainly.  Don’t be afraid to express an honest opinion.

JAMES.  I only meant that you can’t shape another’s life.  We are all free beings and—­

PETER.  Free?  Of course Katie’s free—­to a certain extent.  Do you mean to tell me that any young girl should be freer?  Nonsense!  She should be happy that I am here to think for her—­I! We must think for people who can’t think for themselves; and a young girl can’t. [Signing an answer to a letter after hastily glancing over it.] You have extraordinary ideas, James.

JAMES.  Excuse me, sir; you asked my opinion.  I only meant that we can’t think for others—­any more than we can eat or sleep for them.

PETER. [As though accepting the explanation.] Oh ...  I see what you mean.

JAMES.  Of course, every happy being is bound by its nature to lead its own life—­that it may be a free being.  Evidently I didn’t make my meaning clear. [Giving PETER another letter to sign.

PETER.  Free?  Happy?  James, you talk like an anarchist!  You surprise me, sir.  Where do you get these extraordinary ideas?

JAMES.  By reading modern books and magazines, sir, and of course—­

PETER.  I thought so. [Pointing to his books.] Read Heine.  Cultivate sentiment. [Signing the letter.] Happy?  Has it ever occurred to you that Katie is not happy?

JAMES.  No, sir, I can’t truthfully say that it has.

PETER.  I imagine not.  These are the happiest hours of her life.  Young ... in love ... soon to be married.

JAMES. [After a long pause.] Is it settled, sir?

PETER.  No, but I’ll soon settle it.  Anyone can see how she feels towards
Frederik.