Tekla. And now you had better go out for a breath of fresh air before dinner.
Adolph. Yes, I think I need it. And then we’ll pack and leave.
Tekla. No!
Adolph. [On his feet] Why? There must be a reason.
Tekla. The reason is that I have promised to be at the concert to-night.
Adolph. Oh, that’s it!
Tekla. Yes, that’s it. I have promised to attend—
Adolph. Promised? Probably you said only that you might go, and that wouldn’t prevent you from saying now that you won’t go.
Tekla. No, I am not like you: I keep my word.
Adolph. Of course, promises should be kept, but we don’t have to live up to every little word we happen to drop. Perhaps there is somebody who has made you promise to go.
Tekla. Yes.
Adolph. Then you can ask to be released from your promise because your husband is sick.
Tekla, No, I don’t want to do that, and you are not sick enough to be kept from going with me.
Adolph. Why do you always want to drag me along? Do you feel safer then?
Tekla. I don’t know what you mean.
Adolph. That’s what you always say when you know I mean something that—doesn’t please you.
Tekla. So-o! What is it now that doesn’t please me?
Adolph. Oh, I beg you, don’t begin over again—Good-bye for a while!
(Goes out through the door in the rear and then turns to the right.)
(Tekla is left alone. A moment later Gustav enters and goes straight up to the table as if looking for a newspaper. He pretends not to see Tekla.)
Tekla. [Shows agitation, but manages to control herself] Oh, is it you?
Gustav. Yes, it’s me—I beg your pardon!
Tekla. Which way did you come?
Gustav. By land. But—I am not going to stay, as—
Tekla. Oh, there is no reason why you shouldn’t.—Well, it was some time ago—
Gustav. Yes, some time.
Tekla. You have changed a great deal.
Gustav. And you are as charming as ever, A little younger, if anything. Excuse me, however—I am not going to spoil your happiness by my presence. And if I had known you were here, I should never—
Tekla. If you don’t think it improper, I should like you to stay.
Gustav. On my part there could be no objection, but I fear—well, whatever I say, I am sure to offend you.
Tekla. Sit down a moment. You don’t offend me, for you possess that rare gift—which was always yours—of tact and politeness.
Gustav. It’s very kind of you. But one could hardly expect—that your husband might regard my qualities in the same generous light as you.