the doctor talked him into taking this tour.

RITA. Yes, now that it is safely over.--But I can tell you it has
been a terrible time for me, Asta. I have never cared to talk about
it--and you so seldom came out to see me, too--

ASTA. Yes, I daresay that wasn't very nice of me--but--

RITA. Well, well, well, of course you had your school to attend to
in town. [Smiling.] And then our road-maker friend--of course he
was away too.

ASTA. Oh, don't talk like that, Rita.

RITA. Very well, then; we will leave the road-maker out of the
question.--You can't think how I have been longing for Alfred! How
empty the place seemed! How desolate! Ugh, it felt as if there had
been a funeral in the house!

ASTA. Why, dear me, only six or seven weeks--

RITA. Yes; but you must remember that Alfred has never been away
from me before--never so much as twenty-four hours. Not once in all
these ten years.

ASTA. No; but that is just why I really think it was high time he
should have a little outing this year. He ought to have gone for a
tramp in the mountains every summer--he really ought.

RITA. [Half smiling.] Oh yes, it's all very well fair you to talk.