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?