Bolette. I don't quite know. I forgot to ask.

Arnholm. What books have you there?

Bolette. The one's something about botany. And the other's a
geography.

Arnholm. Do you care about such things?

Bolette. Yes, if only I had time for it. But, first of all, I've
to look after the housekeeping.

Arnholm. Doesn't your mother help you--your stepmother--doesn't
she help with that?

Bolette. No, that's my business. Why, I saw to that during the
two years father was alone. And so it has been since.

Arnholm. But you're as fond as ever of reading.

Bolette. Yes, I read all the useful books I can get hold of. One
wants to know something about the world. For here we live so
completely outside of all that's going on--or almost.

Arnholm. Now don't say that, dear Bolette.

Bolette. Yes! I think we live very much as the carp down there
in the pond. They have the fjord so near them, where the shoals
of wild fishes pass in and out. But the poor, tame house-fishes
know nothing, and they can take no part in that.