play, you see--like other children.

ASTA. [With decision.] I will talk to Alfred about this.

RITA. Yes, do; I wish you would.--Oh! here he is.

[ALFRED ALLMERS, dressed in light summer clothes, enters by the
door on the left, leading EYOLF by the hand. He is a slim,
lightly-built man of about thirty-six or thirty-seven, with gentle
eyes, and thin brown hair and beard. His expression is serious and
thoughtful. EYOLF wears a suit cut like a uniform, with gold braid
and gilt military buttons. He is lame, and walks with a crutch
under his left arm. His leg is shrunken. He is undersized, and
looks delicate, but has beautiful intelligent eyes.]

ALLMERS. [Drops EYOLF's hand, goes up to ASTA with an expression of
marked pleasure, and holds out both his hands to her.] Asta! My
dearest Asta! To think of your coming! To think of my seeing you
so soon!

ASTA. I felt I must--. Welcome home again!

ALLMERS. [Shaking her hands.] Thank you for coming.

RITA. Doesn't he look well?

ASTA. [Gazes fixedly at him.] Splendid! Quite splendid! His eyes
are so much brighter! And I suppose you have done a great deal of
writing on your travels? [With an outburst of joy.] I shouldn't
wonder if you had finished the whole book, Alfred?