ADOLPH.  You’re a little devil—­do you know that?

TEKLA.  No, I don’t know anything at all about myself.

ADOLPH.  You never think about yourself, do you?

TEKLA. [Sniffing and taking notes] I think of nothing but myself—­ I am a dreadful egoist.  But what has made you turn so philosophical all at once?

ADOLPH.  Put your hand on my forehead.

TEKLA. [Prattling as if to a baby] Has he got ants in his head again?  Does he want me to take them away, does he? [Kisses him on the forehead] There now!  Is it all right now?

ADOLPH.  Now it’s all right. [Pause]

TEKLA.  Well, tell me now what you have been doing to make the time go?  Have you painted anything?

ADOLPH.  No, I am done with painting.

TEKLA.  What?  Done with painting?

ADOLPH.  Yes, but don’t scold me for it.  How can I help it that I can’t paint any longer!

TEKLA.  What do you mean to do then?

ADOLPH.  I’ll become a sculptor.

TEKLA.  What a lot of brand new ideas again!

ADOLPH.  Yes, but please don’t scold!  Look at that figure over there.

TEKLA. [Uncovering the wax figure] Well, I declare!—­Who is that meant for?

ADOLPH.  Guess!

TEKLA.  Is it Pussy?  Has he got no shame at all?

ADOLPH.  Is it like?

TEKLA.  How can I tell when there is no face?

ADOLPH.  Yes, but there is so much else—­that’s beautiful!

TEKLA. [Taps him playfully on the cheek] Now he must keep still or
I’ll have to kiss him.

ADOLPH. [Holding her back] Now, now!—­Somebody might come!

TEKLA.  Well, what do I care?  Can’t I kiss my own husband, perhaps? 
Oh yes, that’s my lawful right.

ADOLPH.  Yes, but don’t you know—­in the hotel here, they don’t believe we are married, because we are kissing each other such a lot.  And it makes no difference that we quarrel now and then, for lovers are said to do that also.

TEKLA.  Well, but what’s the use of quarrelling?  Why can’t he always be as nice as he is now?  Tell me now?  Can’t he try?  Doesn’t he want us to be happy?

ADOLPH.  Do I want it?  Yes, but—­

TEKLA.  There we are again!  Who has put it into his head that he is not to paint any longer?

ADOLPH.  Who?  You are always looking for somebody else behind me and my thoughts.  Are you jealous?

TEKLA.  Yes, I am.  I’m afraid somebody might take him away from me.

ADOLPH.  Are you really afraid of that?  You who know that no other woman can take your place, and that I cannot live without you!

TEKLA.  Well, I am not afraid of the women—­it’s your friends that fill your head with all sorts of notions.

ADOLPH. [Watching her] You are afraid then?  Of what are you afraid?

TEKLA. [Getting up] Somebody has been here.  Who has been here?

ADOLPH.  Don’t you wish me to look at you?