ALLMERS. There is to be an end of that now. I am going to make a
regular open-air boy of him.

BORGHEIM. Ah, now, that's right! Out into the open air with him,
poor little fellow! Good Lord, what can we possibly do better than
play in this blessed world? For my part, I think all life is one
long playtime!--Come, Miss Asta!

[BORGHEIM and ASTA go out on the verandah and down through the
garden.]

ALLMERS. [Stands looking after them.] Rita--do you think there is
anything between those two?

RITA. I don't know what to say. I used to think there was. But Asta
has grown so strange to me--so utterly incomprehensible of late.

ALLMERS. Indeed! Has she? While I have been away?

RITA. Yes, within the last week or two.

ALLMERS. And you think she doesn't care very much about him now?

RITA. Not, seriously; not utterly and entirely; not unreservedly--I
am sure she doesn't. [Looks searchingly at him.] Would it displease
you if she did?

ALLMERS. It would not exactly displease me. But it would certainly
be a disquieting thought--