RITA. [Turns her head, and nods to her.] What! is that you, Asta?
Come all the way from town so early?

ASTA. [Takes of her things, and lays them on a chair beside the
door.] Yes, such a restless feeling came over me. I felt I must
come out to-day, and see how little Eyolf was getting on--and you
too. [Lays the portfolio on the table beside the sofa.] So I took
the steamer, and here I am.

RITA. [Smiling to her.] And I daresay you met one or other of your
friends on board? Quite by chance, of course.

ASTA. [Quietly.] No, I did not meet a soul I knew. [Sees the bag.]
Why, Rita, what have you got there?

RITA. [Still unpacking.] Alfred's travelling-bag. Don't you
recognise it?

ASTA. [Joyfully, approaching her.] What! Has Alfred come home?

RITA. Yes, only think--he came quite unexpectedly by the late
train last night.

ASTA. Oh, then that was what my feeling meant! It was that that
drew me out here! And he hadn't written a line to let you know? Not
even a post-card?

RITA. Not a single word.