cultural resources in henrik ibsen's early environment - Ibsen.net

BRANDT.
My wife says that she also is very sorry for this strained relationship. Oh, we have often
talked about it. But now you can make up for lost time.
ADOLF (to HANNE).
Do I also have your approval to make up for lost time . . .
BRANDT.
But I believe you are saying De to my wife. That will not do. You are blood first
cousins, so must you use Du. (To HANNE.) Am I not right?
Yes . . . if our cousin is of the same opinion.
HANNE (bashfully).
ADOLF.
Oh, you need have no doubt about that! I am only afraid that I am not bold enough to say
Du. Our acquaintance is so new. From my childhood I heard my mother speak of my
charming cousin, and often wished secretly to make her acquaintance. Over the years it
feels so natural to say Du. The heart is inclined to familiar addresses. One does not
dream that the familiarity can encounter an obstacle or that it can be inappropriate. Now,
after the lapse of so many years, I see my beautiful cousin for the first time . . . and I do
not have the courage to make use of the right of familiarity that my kinship with her gives
me.
He means my sister!
HANNE (aside).
BRANDT (aside).
Now he is embarked, thank God; so I can be on my way. (Aloud.) Yes, you must say Du
to each other, that is settled. But please excuse me now. I must go over to the factory.
You keep my wife company in the meantime.
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