Alva at the ball
Alva is invited to accompany the Engström family to the grand autumn ball. Madicken is looking forward to seeing Alva dance. Despite the fact that the dance is being held so the wealthy can raise money for the poor, the mayor’s wife, Mrs Dalin, does not want servants to attend. She therefore makes sure that Alva is not invited up to dance. Alva always says, “I am who I am, and why shouldn’t I be?”, and that’s usually her demeanour, but not in this moment. Now she looks as though she’s ashamed of being Alva – and Madicken can’t bear it.
