uit is a
kind of Bridal Symphony, composed at Cologne when I got the telegram
telling me of Svava's engagement. Just think of it! At Cologne--not ten
hours' journey from Paris! But I could not wait ten hours; I had risen
too much in my own estimation in view of my approaching relationship
with the richest family in the country.

Mrs. Riis. Is that suit all you have to show for it, then?

Riis. What a question! Just you wait till I have got my luggage through
the custom-house!

Mrs. Riis. We shall be quite out of it, I suppose?

Riis. You out of it! When a very lucky daddy finds himself in Paris at a
most tremendous moment--

Mrs. Riis. And what did you think of the party yesterday?

Riis. I was quite delighted with the boat for being late so that I was
landed in the middle of a fete champetre as by magic. And Naturally one
had a tremendous welcome as the party was in honour of one's own only
daughter!

Mrs. Riis. What time did you come in last night?

Riis. Don't you understand that we had to play cards yesterday, too? I
could not get out of it; I had to make a fourth with Abraham, Isaac, and
Jacob--that is to say, with our host, a cabinet minister, and old Holk.
It was a tremendous honour to lose one's money to grand folk like that.
Because I always lose, you know.--I came home about three o'clock, I
should think.--What is that you are reading?

Mrs. Riis. The Fortnightly.

Riis. Has there been anything good in it while I have been away? (Begins
to hum a tune.)

Mrs. Riis. Yes--there is an article here on heredity that you must read.
It has some reference to what we began to talk about.

Riis. Do you know this tune? (Goes over to the piano.) It is all the
rage now. I heard it all over Germany. (Begins to play and sing, but
breaks off suddenly.) I will go and fetch the music, while I think of
it! (Goes into his room and comes out again with the music. Sits down
and begins to play and sing again. SVAVA comes in by it, door on the
left. RIIS stops when he sees her, and jumps up.) Good morning, my
child! Good morning! I have hardly had a chance to say a word to you
yet. At the party everyone took you away from me! (Kisses her, and comes
forward with her.)

Svava. Why were you so long of coming back from abroad?

Riis. Why don't people give one some warning when they are going to get
engaged?

Svava. Because people don't know anything about it themselves, till it
happens! Good morning again, mother. (Kne