ELIS. It looks like a bridal veil. This fall you will be my bride, won't

you, Christine?

CHRISTINE. Yes--but--let's think of summer first.

ELIS. Yes, summer! [Takes out the check book.] You see the money is

already in the bank, and when school is over we will start for the

North, for our home land among the lakes. The cottage stands there just

as it did when we were children, and the linden trees. Oh, that it were

summer already and I could go swimming in the lake! I feel as if this

family dishonor has besmirched me so that I long to bathe, body and

soul, in the clear lake waters.

CHRISTINE. Have you heard anything from Eleonora?

ELIS. Yes--poor little sister! She writes me letters that tear my heart

to pieces. She wants to get out of the asylum--and home, of course. But

the doctor daren't let her go. She would do things that might lead

to prison, he says. Do you know, I feel terribly conscience-stricken

sometimes--

CHRISTINE [Starting]. Why?

ELIS. Because I agreed with all the rest of them that it was best to put

her there.

CHRISTINE. My dear, you are always accusing yourself. It was fortunate

she could be taken care of like that--poor little thing!

ELIS. Well, perhaps you're right. It is best so. She is as well off

there as she could be anywhere. When I think of how she used to go about

here casting gloom over every attempt at happiness, how her fate weighed

us down like a nightmare, then I am tempted to feel almost glad about

it. I believe the greatest misfortune that could happen would be to see

her cross this threshold. Selfish brute that I am!

CHRISTINE. Human being that you are!

ELIS. And yet--I suffer--suffer at the thought of her misery and my

father's.

CHRISTINE. It seems as tho' some were born to suffer.

ELIS. You poor Christine--to be drawn into this family, which was cursed

from the beginning! Yes, doomed!

CHRISTINE. You don't know whether it's all trial or punishment, Elis.

Perhaps I can help you through the struggles.

ELIS. Do you think mother has a clean dress tie for me?

CHRISTINE [Anxiously]. Are you going out?

ELIS. I'm going out to dinner. Peter won the debate last night, you

know, and he's giving a dinner tonight.

CHRISTINE. And you're going to that dinner?

ELIS. You mean that perhaps I shouldn't because he has proven such an

unfaithful friend and pupil?

CHRISTINE. I can't deny that I was shocked by his unfaithfulness, when

he promised to quote from your theories and he simply plundered them

without giving you any credit.

ELIS. Ah, that's the way things go, but I am happy in the consciousness

that "this have I done."

CHRISTINE. Has he invited you to the dinner?

ELIS. Why, that's true--come to think of it, he didn't invite me. That's

very strange. Why didn't I think of that before! Why, he's been talking

for years as though I were to be the guest of honor at that dinner, and

he has told others that. But if I am not invited--then of course it's

pretty plain that I'm snubbed, insulted, in fact. Well, it doesn't

matter. It isn't the first time--nor the last. [Pause.]

CHRISTINE. Benjamin is late. Do you think he will pass his examinations?

ELIS. I certainly do--in Latin particularly.

CHRISTINE. Benjamin is a good boy!

ELIS. Yes, but he's somewhat of a grumbler. You know of course why he is

living here with us?

CHRISTINE. IS it because--

ELIS. Because--my father was the boy's guardian and spent his fortune

for him, as he did--for so many others. Can you fancy, Christine, what

agony it is for me as their instructor to see those fatherless boys,

who have been robbed of their inheritance, suffering the humiliations of

free scholars? I have to think constantly of their misery to be able to

forgive them their cruel glances.

CHRISTINE. I believe that your father is truly better off than you.

ELIS. Truly!

CHRISTINE. But Elis, we should think of summer, and not of the past.

ELIS. Yes, of summer! Do you know, I was awakened last night by some

students singing that old song, "Yes, I am coming, glad winds, take this

greeting to the country, to the birds--Say that I love them, tell birch

and linden, lake and mountain, that I am coming back to them--to behold

them again as in my childhood hours--" [He rises--moved.] Shall I ever

go back to them, shall I ever go out from this dreadful city, from Ebal,

accursed mountain, and behold Gerizim again? [Seats himself near the

door.]

CHRISTINE. Aye, aye--that you shall!

ELIS. But do you think my birches and lindens will look as they used

to--don't you think the same dark veil will shroud them that has

been lying over all nature and life for us ever since the day when

father--[Points to the empty arm-chair which is in the shadow.] Look,

the sun has gone.

CHRISTINE. It will come again and stay longer.

ELIS. That's true. As the days lengthen the shadows shorten.

CHRISTINE. Yes, Elis, we are going toward the light, believe me.

ELIS. Sometimes I believe that, and when I think of all that has

happened, all the misery, and compare it with the present--then I am

happy. Last year you were not sitting there, for you had gone away from

me and broken off our betrothal. Do you know, that was the darkest time

of all. I was dying literally bit by bit; but then you came back to

me--and I lived. Why did you go away from me?

CHRISTINE. Oh; I don't know--it seems to me now as if there was no

reason. I had an impulse to go--and I went, as tho' I were walking in my

sleep. When I saw you again I awoke--and was happy.

ELIS. And now we shall go on together forevermore. If you left me now I

should die in earnest.--Here comes mother. Say nothing, let her live in

her imaginary world in which she believes that father is a martyr and

that all those he sacrificed are rascals.

MRS. HEYST [Comes from kitchen. She is paring an apple. She is simply

dressed and speaks in an innocent voice]. Good afternoon, children. Will

you have your apple dumpling hot or cold?

ELIS. Cold, mother dear.

MRS. HEYST. That's right, my boy, you always know what you want and say

so. But you aren't like that, Christine. Elis gets that from his father;

he always knew what he wanted and said so frankly, and people don't like

that--so things went badly with him. But his day will come, and he'll

get his rights and the others will get their just deserts. Wait now,

what was it I had to tell you? Oh, yes, what do you think? Lindkvist has

come here to live! Lindkvist, the biggest rascal of them all!

ELIS [Rises, disturbed]. Has _he_ come here?

MRS. HEYST. Yes, indeed, he's come to live right across the street from

us.

ELIS. So now we must see him coming and going day in and day out. That

too!

MRS. HEYST. Just let me have a talk with him, and he'll never show his

face again! For I happen to know a few things about him! Well, Elis, how

did Peter come out?

ELIS. Oh, finely!

MRS. HEYST. I can well believe that! When do you think _you_ will join

the debating club?

ELIS. When I can afford it!

MRS. HEYST. "When I can afford it." Humph, that isn't a very good

answer! And Benjamin--did he get through his examinations all right?

ELIS. We don't know yet; but he'll soon be here.

MRS. HEYST. Well, I don't quite like the way Benjamin goes around

looking so conscious of his privileges in this house--but we shall

take him down soon enough. But he's a good boy just the same. Oh, yes,

there's a package for you, Elis. [Goes out to kitchen and comes back

directly with a package.]

ELIS. Mother does keep track of everything, doesn't she? I sometimes

believe that she is not so simple minded as she seems to be.

MRS. HEYST. See, here's the package. Lina received it. Perhaps it is an

Easter present!

ELIS. I'm afraid of presents since the time I received a box of

cobblestones. [Puts the package on the table.]

MRS. HEYST. Now I must go back to my duties in the kitchen. Don't you

think it is too cold with the door open?

ELIS. Not at all, mother.

MRS. HEYST. Elis, you shouldn't hang your overcoat there. It looks so

disorderly. Now, Christine, will my curtains be ready soon?

CHRISTINE. In just a few minutes, mother.

MRS. HEYST [To Elis]. Yes, I like Peter; he is my favorite among your

friends. But aren't you going to his dinner this evening, Elis?

ELIS. Yes, I suppose so.

MRS. HEYST. Now, why did you go and say that you wanted your apple

dumpling cold when you are going out to dinner? You're so undecided,

Elis. But Peter isn't like that.--Shut the door when it gets chilly, so

that you won't get sniffles.[Goes out R.]

ELIS. The good old soul--and always Peter. Does she like to tease you

about Peter?

CHRISTINE [Surprised and hurt]. Me?

ELIS [Disconcerted]. Old ladies have such queer notions, you know.

CHRISTINE. What have you received for a present?

ELIS [Opening package]. A birch rod!

CHRISTINE. From whom?

ELIS. It's anonymous. It's just an innocent joke on the schoolmaster. I

shall put it in water--and it will blossom like Aaron's staff. "Rod of

birch, which in my childhood's hour"--And so Lindkvist has come here to

live!

CHRISTINE. Well, what about him?

ELIS. We owe him our biggest debt.

CHRISTINE. _You_ don't owe him anything.

ELIS. Yes, one for all and all for one; the family's name is disgraced

as long as we owe a farthing.

CHRISTINE. Change your name!

ELIS. Christine!

CHRISTINE [Puts down work, which is finished]. Thanks, Elis, I was only

testing you.

ELIS. But you must not tempt me. Lindkvist is not a rich man, and needs

what is due him.--When my father got through with it all it was like

a battle-field of dead and wounded--and mother believes father is a

martyr! Shall we go out and take a walk?

CHRISTINE. And try to find the sunshine? Gladly!

ELIS. I can't understand how it can be that our Saviour suffered for us

and yet we must continue to suffer.

CHRISTINE. Here comes Benjamin.

ELIS. Can you see whether he looks happy or not?

CHRISTINE [Looks out door]. He walks so slowly, he's stopped at the

fountain--and bathing his eyes.

ELIS. And this too!

CHRISTINE. Walt until--

ELIS. Tears! Tears!

CHRISTINE. Patience.

[Enter Benjamin. He has a kind face and seems very downcast. He carries

several books and a portfolio.]

ELIS. Well, how did you get along in Latin?

BENJAMIN. Badly!

ELIS. Let me see your examination paper. What did you do?

BENJAMIN. I used "ut" with the indicative, altbo' I knew it should be

the subjunctive.

ELIS. Then you are lost! But how could you do that?

BENJAMIN [Submissively]. I can't, explain it--I knew how it should be.

I meant to do it right, but some way I wrote it wrong. [Seats himself

dejectedly near dining table.]

ELIS [Sinks dozen near writing desk and opens Benjamin's portfolio].

Yes, here it is--the indicative, oh!

CHRISTINE [Faintly, with effort]. Well, better luck next time--life is

long.

ELIS. Terribly long.

BENJAMIN. Yes, it is.

ELIS [Sadly but without bitterness]. But that everything should come

at the same time! You were my best pupil, so what can I expect of the

others? My reputation as a teacher is lost. I shall not be allowed to

teach any longer and so--complete ruin! [To Benjamin.] Don't take it to

heart so--it is not your fault.

CHRISTINE [With great effort]. Elis, courage, courage, for God's sake.

ELIS. What shall I get it from?

CHRISTINE. What you got it from before.

ELIS. But things are not as they were. I seem to be in complete disgrace

now.

CHRISTINE. There is no disgrace in undeserved suffering. Don't be

impatient. Be equal to the test, for it is just another test. I feel

sure of that.

ELIS. Can a year for Benjamin become less than three hundred and

sixty-five days?

CHRISTINE. Yes, a cheerful spirit makes the days shorter.

ELIS [Smiling]. Blow upon the burn; that heals it, children are told.

CHRISTINE. Be a child then, and let me tell you that. Think of your

mother, how she bears everything.

ELIS. Give me your hand; I am sinking. [Christine reaches out her hand

to him.] Your hand trembles.--

CHRISTINE. No, not that I know of--

ELIS. You are not so strong as you seem to be--

CHRISTINE. I do not feel any weakness--

ELIS. Why can't you give me some strength then?

CHRISTINE. I have none to spare!

ELIS [Looking out of the window]. Do you see who that is coming?

[Christine goes and looks out of window, then falls upon her knees,

crushed.]

CHRISTINE. This is too much!

ELIS. Our creditor, he who can take our home and all our belongings away

from us. He, Lindkvist, who has come here and ensconced himself in the

middle of his web like a spider, to watch the flies--

CHRISTINE. Let us run away!

ELIS [At window]. No--no running away! Now when you grow weak I become

strong--now he is coming up the street--and he casts his evil eye over

toward his prey.

CHRISTINE. Stand aside, at least.

ELIS [Straightening himself]. No, he amuses me. His face lights up with

pleasure, as tho' he could already see his victims in his trap. Come

on! He is counting the steps up to our gate and he sees by the open

door that we are at home.--But he has met some one and stands there

talking.--He is talking about us, for he's pointing over here.

CHRISTINE. If only he doesn't meet mother, so that she can't make him

harsh with her angry words!--Oh, prevent that, Elis!

ELIS. Now he is shaking his stick, as if he were protesting that in our

case mercy shall not pass for justice. He buttons his overcoat to show

that at least he hasn't yet had the very clothes on his back taken from

him. I can tell by his mouth what he is saying. What shall I reply to

him? "My dear sir, you are in the right. Take everything, it belongs to

you."

CHRISTINE. There is nothing else you could say.

ELIS. Now he laughs. But it is a kind laugh, not a malicious one!

Perhaps he isn't so mean after all, but he'll see that he gets every

penny coming to him, nevertheless! If he would only come, and stop his

blessed prating.--Now, he is swinging his stick again.--They always

carry a stick, men who have debtors, and they always wear galoshes that

say "Swish, swish," like lashes through the air--[Christine puts hand

against his heart.] Do you hear how my heart beats? It sounds like

an ocean steamer. Now, thank Heaven, he's taking his leave with his

squeaking galoshes! "Swish, swish," like a switch! Oh, but he wears a

watch charm! So he can't be utterly poverty-stricken. They always have

watch charms of carnelian, like dried flesh that they have cut out

of their neighbors' backs. Listen to the galoshes. "Angry, angrier,

angriest, swish, swish." Watch him! The old wolf! He sees me! He sees

me! He bows! He smiles! He waves his hand--and [Sinks down near the

writing table, weeping] he has gone by!

CHRISTINE. Praise be to God!

ELIS [Rising]. He has gone by--but he will come again. Let's go out in

the sunshine.

CHRISTINE. And what about dining with Peter?

ELIS. As I am not invited, I cannot go. For that matter, what should

I do there in the festivity! Just go and meet an unfaithful friend! I

should only make a pretense of not being hurt by what he has done.

CHRISTINE. I'm glad, for then you will stay here with us.

ELIS. I'd rather do that, as you know. Shall we go?

CHRISTINE. Yes, this way.

[Goes towards left. As Elis passes Benjamin he puts his hand on

Benjamin's shoulder.]

ELIS. Courage, boy!

[Benjamin hides his face in his hands.]

ELIS [Takes the birch rod from the dining table and puts it behind the

looking-glass]. It wasn't an olive branch that the dove was carrying--it

was a birch rod!

[They go out.]

[Eleonora comes in from back: she is sixteen, with braids down her back.

She carries an Easter lily in a pot. Without seeing, or pretending not

to see Benjamin, she puts the lily on the dining table and then goes and

gets a water-bottle from the sideboard and waters the plant. Then seats

herself near dining table right opposite Benjamin and contemplates him

and then imitates his gestures and movements.]

[Benjamin stares at her in astonishment.]

ELEONORA [Points to lily]. Do you know what that is?

BENJAMIN [Boyishly, simply]. It's an Easter lily--that's easy enough;

but who are you?

ELEONORA [Sweetly, sadly]. Well, who are you?

BENJAMIN. My name is Benjamin and I live here with Mrs. Heyst.

ELEONORA. Indeed! My name is Eleonora and I am the daughter of Mrs.

Heyst.

BENJAMIN. How strange no one ever said anything about you!

ELEONORA. People do not talk about the dead!

BENJAMIN. The dead?

ELEONORA. I am dead civilly, for I have committed a very bad deed.

BENJAMIN. You!

ELEONORA. Yes, I spent a trust fund; but that wasn't so much, for it was

money as ill-gotten as ill-spent--but that my poor old father should be

blamed for it and be put in prison--you see, that can never be forgiven.

BENJAMIN. So strangely and beautifully you talk! And I never thought of

that--that my inheritance might have been ill-gotten.

ELEONORA. One should not confine human beings, one should free them.

BENJAMIN. You have freed me from a delusion.

ELEONORA. You are a charity pupil?

BENJAMIN. Yes, it is my sorrowful lot to have to live upon the charity

of this poor family.

ELEONORA. You must not use harsh words or I shall have to go away. I am

so sensitive I cannot bear anything harsh. Nevertheless it's my fault

that you are unhappy.

BENJAMIN. Your father's fault, you mean.

ELEONORA. That is the same thing, for he and I are one and the same

person. [Pause.] Why are you so dejected?

BENJAMIN. I have had a disappointment!

ELEONORA. Should you be downcast on that account? "Rod and punishment

bring wisdom, and he who hates punishment must perish--" What

disappointment have you had?

BENJAMIN. I have failed in my Latin examination--altho' I was so sure I

would pass.

ELEONORA. Just so; you were so sure, so sure, that you would even have

laid a wager that you would get thro' it.

BENJAMIN. I did have a bet on it.

ELEONORA. I thought so. You see that's why it happened--because you were

so sure.

BENJAMIN. Do you think that was the reason?

ELEONORA. Certainly it was! Pride goeth before a fall!

BENJAMIN. I shall remember that the next time.

ELEONORA. That is a worthy thought; those who are pleasing to God are of

humble spirit.

BENJAMIN. Do you read the Bible?

ELEONORA. Yes, I read it!

BENJAMIN. I mean, are you a believer?

ELEONORA. Yes, I mean that I am. So much so that if you should speak

wickedly about God, my benefactor, I would not sit at the same table

with you.

BENJAMIN. How old are you?

ELEONORA. For me there is no time nor space. I am everywhere and

whensoever. I am in my father's prison, and in my brother's school-room.

I am in my mother's kitchen and in my sister's little shop far away.

When all goes well with my sister and she makes good sales I feel her

gladness, and when things go badly with her I suffer--but I suffer

most when she does anything dishonest. Benjamin, your name is Benjamin,

because you are the youngest of my friends; yes, all human beings are my

friends, and if you will let me adopt you, I will suffer for you too.

BENJAMIN. I don't quite understand the words you use, but I think I

catch the meaning of your thoughts. And I will do whatever you want me

to.

ELEONORA. Will you begin then by ceasing to judge human beings, even

when they are convicted criminals--

BENJAMIN. Yes, but I want to have a reason for it. I have read

philosophy, you see.

ELEONORA. Oh, have you! Then you shall help me explain this from a great

philosopher. He said, "Those that hate the righteous, they shall be

sinners."

BENJAMIN. Of course all logic answers that in the same way, that one can

be doomed to commit crime--.

ELEONORA. And that the crime itself is a punishment.

BENJAMIN. That is pretty deep! One would think that that was Kant or

Schopenhauer.

ELEONORA. I don't know them.

BENJAMIN. What book did you read that in?

ELEONORA. In the Holy Scripture.

BENJAMIN. Truly? Are there such things in it?

ELEONORA. What an ignorant, neglected child you are! If I could bring

you up!

BENJAMIN. Little you!

ELEONORA. I don't believe there is anything very wicked about you. You

seem to me more good than bad.

BENJAMIN. Thank you.

ELEONORA [Rising]. You must never thank me for anything. Remember

that.--Oh, now my father is suffering. They are unkind to him.

[Stands as tho' listening.] Do you hear what the telephone wires are

humming?--those are harsh words, which the soft red copper does not

like--when people slander each other thro' the telephone the copper

moans and laments--[Severely] and every word is written in the book--and

at the end of time comes the reckoning!

BENJAMIN. You are so severe!

ELEONORA. I? Not I! How should I dare to be? I, I? [She goes to the

stove, opens it, and takes out several torn pieces of white letter paper

and puts them on the dining table.]

BENJAMIN. [Rises and looks at the pieces of paper which Eleonora is

putting together.]

ELEONORA [To herself]. That people should be so thoughtless as to leave

their secrets in the stove! Whenever I come I always go right to the

stove! But I don't do it maliciously--I wouldn't do anything like that,

for then I should feel remorse.

BENJAMIN. It is from Peter, who writes and asks Christine to meet him. I

have been expecting that for a long time.

ELEONORA [Putting her hands over the bits o f paper]. Oh, you, what have

you been expecting? Tell me, you evil minded being, who believes nothing

but bad of people. This letter could not mean anything wrong to me,

for I know Christine, who is going to be my sister sometime. And that

meeting will avert misfortune for brother Elis. Will you promise me to

say nothing of this, Benjamin?

BENJAMIN. I don't exactly think I should like to talk much about it!

ELEONORA. People who are suspicious become so unjust. They think they

are so wise, and they are so foolish!--But what is all this to me!

BENJAMIN. Yes, why _are_ you so inquisitive?

ELEONORA. You see that is my illness--that I must know all about

everything or else I become restless--

BENJAMIN. Know about everything?

ELEONORA. That is a fault which I cannot overcome. And I even know what

the birds say.

BENJAMIN. But they can't talk?

ELEONORA. Haven't you heard birds that people have taught to talk?

BENJAMIN. Oh, yes--that people have taught to talk!

ELEONORA. That is to say they can talk. And we find those that have

taught themselves or are like that instinctively--they sit and listen

without our knowing it and then they repeat these things afterward. Just

now as I was coming along I heard two magpies in the walnut tree, who

sat there gossiping.

BENJAMIN. How funny you are! But what were they saying?

ELEONORA. "Peter," said one of them, "Judas," said the other. "The same

thing," said the first one. "Fie, Fie, Fie," said the other. But have

you noticed that the nightingales only sing in the grounds of the deaf

and dumb asylum here?

BENJAMIN. Yes, they do say that's so. Why do they do that?

ELEONORA. Because those who have hearing do not hear what the

nightingales say: but the deaf and dumb hear it!

BENJAMIN. Tell me some more stories.

ELEONORA. Yes, if you are good.

BENJAMIN. How good?

ELEONORA. If you will never be exacting about words with me, never say

that I said so and so, or so and so. Shall I tell you more about birds?

There is a wicked bird that is called a rat-hawk: as you may know by its

name, it lives on rats. But as it is an evil bird it has hard work to

catch the rats. Because it can say only one single word, and that a

noise such as a cat makes when it says "miau." Now when the rat-hawk

says "miau" the rats run and hide themselves--for the rat-hawk doesn't

understand what it is saying so it is often without food, for it is a

wicked bird! Would you like to hear more? Or shall I tell you something

about flowers? Do you know when I was ill I was made to take henbane,

which is a drug that has the power to make one's eyes magnify like a

microscope. Well, now I see farther than others, and I can see the stars

in the daylight!

BENJAMIN. But the stars are not up there then, are they?

ELEONORA. How funny you are! The stars are always up there--and now,

as I sit facing the west, I can see Cassiopea like a W up there in the

middle of the Milky Way. Can you see it?

BENJAMIN. No, indeed I can't see it.

ELEONORA. Let me call your attention to this, that some can see that

which others do not do not be too sure of your own eyes therefore! Now

I'm going to tell you about that flower standing on the table: it is an

Easter lily whose home is in Switzerland; it has a calyx which drinks

sunlight, therefore it is yellow and can soothe pain. When I was passing

a florist's, just now, I saw it and wanted to make a present of it to

brother Elis. When I tried to go into the shop I found the door was

locked--because it is confirmation day. But I must have the flower--I

took out my keys and tried them--can you believe it, my door key worked!

I went in. You know that flowers speak silently! Every fragrance uttered

a multitude of thoughts, and those thoughts reached me: and with my

magnifying eyes I looked into the flowers' workrooms, which no one else

has ever seen. And they told me about their sorrows which the careless

florist causes them--mark you, I did not say cruel, for he is only

thoughtless. Then I put a coin on the desk with my card, took the Easter

lily and went out.

BENJAMIN. How thoughtless! Think if the flower is missed and the money

isn't found?

ELEONORA. That's true! You are right.

BENJAMIN. A coin can easily disappear, and if they find your card it's

all up with you.

ELEONORA. But no one would believe that I wanted to take anything.

BENJAMIN [Looking hard at her]. They wouldn't?

ELEONORA [Rising]. Ah! I know what you mean! Like father, like child!

How thoughtless I have been! Ah! That which must be, must be! [Sits.] It

must be so.

BENJAMIN. Couldn't we say that--

ELEONORA. Hush! Let's talk of other things! Poor Elis! Poor all of

us! But it is Easter, and we ought to suffer. Isn't there a recital

tomorrow? [Benjamin nods his head.] And they give Haydn's Seven Words on

the Cross! "Mother, behold thy son!" [She weeps with face in hands.]

BENJAMIN. What kind of illness have you had?

ELEONORA. An illness that is not mortal unless it is God's will! I

expected good, and evil came; I expected light, and darkness came. How

was your childhood, Benjamin?

BENJAMIN. Oh, I don't know. Kind of tiresome! And yours?

ELEONORA. I never had any. I was born old. I knew everything when I was

born, and when I was taught anything it was only like remembering. I

knew human weaknesses when I was four years old, and that's why people

were horrid to me.

BENJAMIN. Do you know, I, too, seem to have thought everything that you

say.

ELEONORA. I am sure you have. What made you think that the coin I left

at the florist's would be lost?

BENJAMIN. Because what shouldn't happen always does happen.

ELEONORA. Have you noticed that too? Hush, some one is coming. [Looks

toward back.] I hear--Elis, oh, how good! My only friend on earth!

[She darkens.] But--he didn't expect me! And he will not be glad to see

me--no, he won't be, I am sure he won't be. Benjamin, have a pleasant

face and be cheerful when my poor brother comes in. I am going in here

while you prepare him for my being here. But no matter what he says,

don't you say anything that would hurt him, for that would make me

unhappy. Do you promise? [Benjamin nods.] Give me your hand.

BENJAMIN [Reaches out his hand].

ELEONORA [Kisses him on the top of his head]. So! Now you are my little

brother. God bless and keep you! [Goes toward the left and as she passes

Elis' overcoat she pats it lovingly on the sleeve.] Poor Elis! [She goes

out L.]

ELIS [In from back, troubled].

MRS. HEYST [In from kitchen].

ELIS. Oh, so there you are, mother.

MRS. HEYST. Was it you? I thought I heard a strange voice!

ELIS. I have some news. I met our lawyer in the street.

MRS. HEYST. Well?

ELIS. The case is going to the superior court--and to gain time I've got

to read all the minutes of the case.

MRS. HEYST. Well, that won't take you long.

ELIS [Pointing to the legal documents on the writing desk]. Oh, I

thought that was all over with, and now I must weary myself by going

through all that torture again--all the accusations, all the testimony

and all the evidence, all over again!

MRS. HEYST. Yes, but the superior court will free him!

ELIS. No, mother, he has confessed.

MRS. HEYST. But there may be some mistakes in the trial which count.

When I talked with our lawyer he said there might be some technical

errors--I think that's what he called them.

ELIS. He said that to console you.

MRS. HEYST [Coldly]. Are you going out to dinner?

ELIS. No.

MRS. HEYST. Oh, so you've changed your mind again.

ELIS. Yes.

MRS. HEYST. Oh, you are so changeable!

ELIS. I know it, but I am tossed about like a chip in a high sea.

MRS. HEYST. I surely thought I heard a strange voice that I half

recognized. But I must have been mistaken.[Points to Elis' overcoat.]

That coat ought not to hang there, I said. [Goes out R.]

ELIS [Goes to L. Sees the lily on table]. Where did that plant come

from?

BENJAMIN. There was a young lady here with it.

ELIS. Young lady! What's that? Who was it?

BENJAMIN. It was--

ELIS. Was it--my sister?

BENJAMIN. Yes.

ELIS [Sinks down near table]. [Pause.] Did you talk with her?

BENJAMIN. Yes, indeed!

ELIS. Oh, God, is there more to be endured? Was she angry with me?

BENJAMIN. She? No, she was so sweet, so gentle.

ELIS. How wonderful! Did she talk about me? Was she very vexed with me?

BENJAMIN. No, on the contrary she said you were her best, her only

friend on earth.

ELIS. What a strange change!

BENJAMIN. And when she went, she patted your coat on the sleeve--

ELIS. Went? Where has she gone?

BENJAMIN [Pointing to the window door]. In there!

ELIS. She is in there then?

BENJAMIN. Yes.

ELIS. You look so happy and cheerful, Benjamin.

BENJAMIN. She talked so beautifully to me.

ELIS. What did she talk about?

BENJAMIN. She told me some of her own stories--and a lot about religion.

ELIS [Rising]. Which made you happy?

BENJAMIN. Yes, indeed!

ELIS. Poor Eleonora, who is so unfortunate herself and yet can make

others happy! [Goes to door left, hesitating.] God help us!

ACT II.

[Good Friday evening. The music before and thro' the act, Haydn's Sieben

Worte. Largo No. 1. "Pater dimitte illis." Same scene. Curtains are

drawn, lighted up by electric light in the street. The hanging lamp is

lighted. On dining table a small lamp, also lighted. There is a glimmer

from the lighted stove. Elis and Christine are sitting at the sewing

table. Benjamin and Eleonora are seated at dining table reading,

opposite each other, with the small lamp between them--Eleonora has a

shawl over her shoulders.]

[They are all dressed in black. The papers that Elis brought in the

First Act are on the writing table in a disorderly condition, the Easter

lily stands on sewing table. An old clock stands on the dining table.

Now and then one sees shadows of people passing by in the street.]

[The cathedral organ is heard faintly.--The following scene must be

played softly.]

ELIS [Softly to Christine]. Yes--it's Good Friday--Long Friday they call

it in some countries. Ah--yes--it is long. And the snow has softened the

noises in the street like straw spread before the house of the dying.

Not a sound to be heard--[Music louder] only the cathedral organ--[A

long pause.]

CHRISTINE. Mother must have gone to vespers.

ELIS. Yes.--She never goes to high mass any more. The cold glances

people give her hurt her too much.

CHRISTINE. It's queer about these people they sort of demand that we

should keep out of the way, and they even see fit to--

ELIS. Yes--and perhaps they are right.--

CHRISTINE. On account of the wrong-doing of one, the whole family is

excommunicated--

ELIS. Yes--that is the way things go.

[Eleonora pushes the lamp over to Benjamin that he may see better.]

ELIS [Noticing them]. Look at them!

CHRISTINE. Isn't it beautiful? How well they get along together.

ELIS. How fortunate it is that Eleonora has grown so calm and contented.

Oh, that it might only last!

CHRISTINE. Why shouldn't it last?

ELIS. Because--happiness doesn't last very long usually.

CHRISTINE. Elis!

ELIS. Oh, I am afraid of everything today.

[Benjamin moves the lamp slowly over to Eleonora's side.]

CHRISTINE. Look at them! [Pause.]

ELIS. Have you noticed the change in Benjamin? His fierce defiance has

given way to quiet submissiveness.

CHRISTINE. It's her doing. Her whole being seems to give out sweetness.

ELIS. She has brought with her the spirit of peace, that goes about

unseen and exhales tranquillity. Even mother seems to be affected by

her. When she saw her a calmness seemed to come over her that could

never have been expected.

CHRISTINE. Do you think that she is really recovered now?

ELIS. Yes. If it weren't for this over-sensitiveness. Now she is reading

the story of the crucifixion and some of the time she is weeping.

CHRISTINE. We used to read it at school, I remember, on Wednesdays, when

we fasted.

ELIS. Don't talk so loud--she will hear you.

CHRISTINE. Not now--she is so far away.

ELIS. Have you noticed the quiet dignity that has come into Benjamin's

face?

CHRISTINE. That's on account of suffering. Too much happiness makes

everything commonplace.

ELIS. Don't you think it may be--love? Don't you think that those

little--

CHRISTINE. Sh--sh--don't touch the wings of the butterfly--or it will

fly away.

ELIS. They must be looking at each other, and only pretending to read. I

haven't heard them turn over any pages.

CHRISTINE. Hush!

[Eleonora rises, goes on tip-toe to Benjamin and puts her shawl over his

shoulders. Benjamin protests mildly but gives in to her wish--Eleonora

returns to her seat and pushes the lamp over to Benjamin's side.]

CHRISTINE. She doesn't know how well she wishes. Poor little

Eleonora--[Pause.]

ELIS [Rises]. Now I must return to the law papers.

CHRISTINE. Do you think anything will be gained by going over all that

again?

ELIS. Only one thing. That is to keep up mother's hope. I only pretend

to read--but a word now and then pricks me like a thorn in the eye.

The evidence of the witnesses, the summaries--father's confession--like

this: "the accused admitted with tears"--tears--tears--so many

tears--and these papers with their official seals that remind one of

false notes and prison bars--the ribbons and red seals--they are

like the five wounds of Christus--and public opinion that will never

change--the endless anguish--this is indeed fit work for Good Friday!

Yesterday the sun was shining--and in our fancy we went out to the

country,--Christine, think if we should have to stay here all summer.

CHRISTINE. We would save a great deal of money--but it would be

disappointing.

ELIS. I couldn't live thro' it--I have stayed here three summers--and

it's like a dead city to me. The rats come out from the cellars and

alleys--while the cats are out spending the summer in the country. And

all the old women that couldn't get away sit peeking through the blinds

gossiping about their neighbors--"See, he has his winter suit on"--and

sneer at the worn-down heels of the passers-by. And from the poor

quarters wretched beings drag themselves out of their holes, cripples,

creatures without noses or ears, the wicked and unfortunate--filling

the parks and squares as if they had conquered the city--there where the

well-dressed children just played, while their parents or maids looked

on and encouraged them in their frolics. I remember last summer when I--

CHRISTINE. Oh, Elis--Elis--look forward--look forward.

ELIS. Is it brighter there?

CHRISTINE. Let us hope so.

ELIS [Sits at writing table]. If it would only stop snowing out there,

so we could go out for a walk!

CHRISTINE. Dearest Elis, yesterday you wanted night to come, so that

we might be shielded from the hateful glances of the people. You said,

"Darkness is so kind," and that it's like drawing the blanket over one's

head.

ELIS. That only goes to prove that my misery is as great one way as

the other. [Reading papers.] The worst part of the suit is all the

questioning about father's way of living.--It says here that we gave

big dinner parties.--One witness practically says that my father was a

drunkard--no, that's too much. No. No, I won't--as tho'--I must go thro'

it, I suppose.--Aren't you cold?

CHRISTINE. No. But it isn't warm here. Isn't Lina home?

ELIS. She's gone to church.

CHRISTINE. Oh, yes, that's so. But mother will soon be home.

ELIS. I am always afraid to have her come home. She has had so many

experiences of people's evil and malice.

CHRISTINE. There is a strain of unusual melancholy in your family, Elis.

ELIS. And that's why none but the melancholy have ever been our friends.

Light-hearted people have always avoided us--shrunk from us.

CHRISTINE. There is mother, going in the kitchen door.

ELIS. Don't be impatient with her, Christine.

CHRISTINE. Impatient! Ah, no, it's worse for her than any of us. But I

can't quite understand her.

ELIS. She is always trying to hide our disgrace. That's why she seems so

peculiar. Poor mother!

MRS. HEYST [Enters, dressed in black, psalm book in hand, and

handkerchief]. Good evening, children.

ALL. Good evening, mother dear.

MRS. HEYST. Why are you all in black, as tho' you were in mourning?

[Pause.]

ELIS. Is it still snowing, mother?

MRS. HEYST. It's sleeting now. [Goes over to Eleonora.] Aren't you

cold out here? [Eleonora shakes her head.] Well, my little one, you are

reading and studying, I see. [To Benjamin.] And you too? Well, you won't

overdo. [Eleonora takes her mother's hand and carries it to her lips.]

MRS. HEYST [Hiding her feelings]. So, my child--so--so--

ELIS. Have you been to vespers, mother?

MRS. HEYST. Yes, but they had some visiting pastor, and I didn't like

him, he mumbled his words so.

ELIS. Did you meet any one you knew?

MRS. HEYST. Yes, more is the pity.

ELIS. Then I know whom--

MRS. HEYST. Yes, Lindkvist. And he came up to me and--

ELIS. Oh, how terrible, how terrible--

MRS. HEYST. He asked how things were going--and imagine my fright--he

asked if he might come and see us this evening.

ELIS. On a holy day?

MRS. HEYST. I was speechless--and he, I am afraid, mistook my silence

for consent. So he may be here any moment.

ELIS [Rises]. Here?

MRS. HEYST. He said he wished to leave a paper of some sort which was

important.

ELIS. A warrant! He wants to take our furniture.

MRS. HEYST. But he looked so queer. I didn't quite understand him.

ELIS. Well, then--let him come--he has right and might on his side, and

we must bow down to him.--We must receive him when he comes.

MRS. HEYST. If I could only escape seeing him!

ELIS. Yes, you must stay in the house.

MRS. HEYST. But the furniture he cannot take. How could we live if he

took the things away? One cannot live in empty rooms.

ELIS. The foxes have holes, the birds nests there are many homeless ones

who sleep under the sky.

MRS. HEYST. That's the way rogues should be made to live--not honest

people.

ELIS [By the writing table]. I have been reading it all over again.

MRS. HEYST. Did you find any faults? What was it the lawyer called them?

Oh--technical errors?

ELIS. No. I don't think there are any.

MRS. HEYST. But I met our lawyer just now and he said there must be

some technical errors a challengeable witness, an unproven opinion--or a

contradiction, he said. You should read carefully.

ELIS. Yes, mother dear, but it's somewhat painful reading all this--

MRS. HEYST. But now listen to this. I met our lawyer, as I said, and he

told me also that a burglary had been committed here in town yesterday,

and in broad daylight.

[Eleonora and Benjamin start and listen.]

ELIS. A burglary! Where?

MRS. HEYST. At the florist's on Cloister street. But the whole thing

is very peculiar. It's supposed to have happened this way: the florist

closed his place and went to church where his son--or was it his

daughter?--was being confirmed. When he returned, about three

o'clock--or perhaps it was four, but that doesn't matter--well, he found

the door of the store wide open and his flowers were gone--at least a

whole lot of them. [They all look at her questioningly.] Well, anyway, a

yellow tulip was gone, which he missed first.

ELIS. A yellow tulip? Had it been a lily I would have been afraid.

MRS. HEYST. No, it was a tulip, that's sure, well, they say the police

are on the track of the thief anyway.

[Eleonora has risen as if to speak, but is quieted by Benjamin, who goes

to her and whispers something to her.]

MRS. HEYST. Think of it, on Holy Thursday! When young people are being

confirmed at the church, to break into a place and steal! Oh, the town

must be full of rogues, and that's why they throw innocent people into

prison!

ELIS. Do you know who it is they suspect?

MRS. HEYST. No. But it was a peculiar thief. He didn't take any money

from the cash drawer.

CHRISTINE. Oh, that this day were ended!

MRS. HEYST. And if Lina would only return--[Pause.] Oh, I heard

something about the dinner Peter gave last night. What do you think--the

Governor himself was there.

ELIS. The Governor at Peter's--? I'm astonished. Peter has always avowed

himself against the Governor's party.

MRS. HEYST. He must have changed then.

ELIS. He wasn't called Peter for nothing, it seems.

MRS. HEYST. But what have _you_ got against the Governor?

ELIS. He is against progress--he wants to restrict the pleasures of the

people, he tries to dictate to the boards of education--I've felt his

interference in my school.

MRS. HEYST. I can't understand all that--but it doesn't matter. Anyhow

the Governor made a speech, they say, and Peter thanked him heartily.

ELIS. And with great feeling, I can fancy, and denied his master,

saying, "I know not this man," and again the cock crew. Wasn't the

Governor's name Pontius and his surname Pilate?

[Eleonora starts as if to speak but Benjamin quiets her again.]

MRS. HEYST. You mustn't be so bitter, Elis. Human beings are weak and we

must come in contact with them.

ELIS. Hush,--I hear Lindkvist coming.

MRS. HEYST. What? Can you hear him in all this snow?

ELIS. Yes, I can hear his stick striking the pavement--and his squeaking

galoshes. Please, mother, go into the house.

MRS. HEYST. No. I shall stay and tell him a few things.

ELIS. Dear, dear mother, you must go in or it will be too painful.

MRS. HEYST [Rising, with scorn]. Oh, may the day that I was born be

forgotten--

CHRISTINE. Don't blaspheme, mother.

MRS. HEYST. Should not the lost have this trouble rather than that the

worthy should suffer torture?

ELIS. Mother!

MRS. HEYST. Oh, God! Why have you forsaken me and my children? [Goes out

L.]

ELIS. Oh--do you know that mother's indifference and submission torture

me more than her wrath?

CHRISTINE. Her submission is only pretended or make-believe. There was

something of the roar of the lioness in her last words. Did you notice

how big she became?

ELIS [At window, listening]. He has stopped--perhaps he thinks the time

ill-chosen.--But that can't be it--he who could write such terrible

letters,--and always on that blue paper! I can't look at a blue paper

now without trembling.

CHRISTINE. What will you tell him--what do you mean to propose?

ELIS. I don't know. I have lost all my reasoning powers.--Shall I

fall on my knees to him and beg mercy--can you hear him? I can't hear

anything but the blood beating in my ears.

CHRISTINE. Let us face the worst calmly--he will take everything and--

ELIS. Then the landlord will come and ask for some other security, which

I cannot furnish.--He will demand security, when the furniture is no

longer here to assure him of the rent.

CHRISTINE [Peeking through the curtain]. He isn't there now.--He is

gone!

ELIS [Rushing to window]. He's gone?--Do you know, now that I think of

Lindkvist, I see him as a good-natured giant who only scares children.

How could I have come to think that?

CHRISTINE. Oh, thoughts come and go--

ELIS. How lucky that I was not at that dinner yesterday--I would surely

have made a speech against the Governor, and so I would have spoiled

everything for us.

CHRISTINE. Do you realize that now?

ELIS. Thanks for your advice, Christine. You knew your Peter.

CHRISTINE. My Peter?--

ELIS. I meant--my Peter.--But--look--he is here again, woe unto us!

[One can see the shadow of Lindkvist on the curtain, who is nearing

slowly. The shadow gets larger and larger, until it is giant-like. They

stand in fear and tremble.]

ELIS. Look,--the giant--the giant that wants to swallow us.

CHRISTINE. Now it's time to laugh, as when reading fairy-tales.

ELIS. I can't laugh any more.

[The shadow slowly disappears.]

CHRISTINE. Look at the stick and you must laugh. [Pause.]

ELIS [Brightly]. He's gone--he's gone--yes, I can breathe again now, as

he won't return until tomorrow. Oh, the relief!

CHRISTINE. Yes, and tomorrow the sun will be shining,--the snow will be

gone and the birds will be singing--eve of the resurrection!

ELIS. Yes, tell me more like that--I can see everything you say.

CHRISTINE. If you could but see what is in my heart, if you could see

my thoughts and my good intentions, my inmost prayer, Elis--Elis--when I

now ask--[Hesitates.]

ELIS. What? Tell me.

CHRISTINE. When I beg you now to--

ELIS [Alarmed]. Tell me--

CHRISTINE. It's a test. Will you look at it as a test?

ELIS. A test? Well then.

CHRISTINE. Let me--do let me--No, I daren't. [Eleonora listens.]

ELIS. Why do you torture me?

CHRISTINE. I'll regret it, I know. So be it! Elis, let me go to the

recital this evening.

ELIS. What recital?

CHRISTINE. Haydn's "Seven Words on the Cross," at the cathedral.

ELIS. With whom?

CHRISTINE. Alice.

ELIS. And?

CHRISTINE. Peter!

ELIS. With Peter?

CHRISTINE. See, now you frown. I regret telling you, but it's too late

now.

ELIS. Yes. It is somewhat late now, but explain--

CHRISTINE. I prepared you, told you that I couldn't explain, and that's

the reason I begged your boundless faith.

ELIS [Mildly]. Go. I trust you. But I suffer to know that you seek the

company of a traitor.

CHRISTINE. I realize that, but this is to be a test.

ELIS. Which I cannot endure.

CHRISTINE. You must.

ELIS. I would like to, but I cannot. But you must go nevertheless.

CHRISTINE. Your hand!

ELIS [Giving his hand]. There--[The telephone rings; Elis goes to

it.] Hello!--No answer. Hello!--No answer but my own voice.--Who is

it?--That's strange. I only hear the echo of my own words.

CHRISTINE. That might be possible.

ELIS [Still at 'phone]. Hello!--But this is terrible! [Hangs up

receiver.] Go now, Christine, and without any explanations, without

conditions. I shall endure the test.

CHRISTINE. Yes, do that and all will be well.

ELIS. I will.--[Christine starts R.] Why do you go that way?

CHRISTINE. My coat and hat are in there. Good bye for now. [Goes out R.]

ELIS. Good-bye, my friend, [Pause] forever. [He rushes out L.]

ELEONORA. God help us, what have I done now? The police are after the

guilty one, and if I am discovered--then--[With a shriek] they'll send

me back there. [Pause.] But I mustn't be selfish. Oh, poor mother and

poor Elis!

BENJAMIN [Childishly]. Eleonora, you must tell them that I did it.

ELEONORA. Could you make another's guilt yours, you child?

BENJAMIN. That's easy, when one knows he's innocent.

ELEONORA. One should never deceive.

BENJAMIN. No, but let me telephone to the florist and explain to him.

ELEONORA. No, I did wrong, and I must take the consequences. I have

awakened their fear of burglars, and I must be punished.

BENJAMIN. But what if the police come in?

ELEONORA. That would be dreadful--but what must be, must be. Oh,

that this day were ended! [Takes clock from table and puts the hands

forward.] Dear old clock, go a little faster--tick, tick, tick. [The

clock strikes eight.] Now it's eight. [Moves hands again.]

Tick, tick, tick. [Business with clock.] Now it's

nine--ten--eleven--twelve--o'clock. Now it is Easter eve, and the sun

will soon be rising, and then we'll color the Easter eggs.

BENJAMIN. You can make time fly, can't you?

ELEONORA. Think, Benjamin, of all the anemones and violets that had to

stay in the snow all winter and freeze there in the darkness.

BENJAMIN. How they must suffer!

ELEONORA. Night is hardest for them--they are afraid of the darkness,

but they can't run away, and so they must stay there thro' the long

winter night, waiting for spring, which is their dawn. Everybody and

everything must suffer, but the flowers suffer most. Yes, and the

song-birds, they have returned; where are they to sleep tonight?

BENJAMIN [Childishly]. In the hollow trees.

ELEONORA. There aren't hollow trees enough to hold them all. I have only

noticed two hollow trees in the orchard, and that's where the owls live,

and they kill the song birds. [Elis is heard playing the piano inside.

Eleonora and Benjamin listen for a few moments.] Poor Elis, who thinks

that Christine has gone from him, but I know that she will return.

BENJAMIN. Why don't you tell him, if you know?

ELEONORA, Because Elis must suffer; every one should suffer on Good

Friday, that they may remember Christ's suffering on the cross. [The

sound of a policeman's whistle is heard off in the distance.]

ELEONORA [Starts up]. What was that?

BENJAMIN. Don't you know?

ELEONORA. No.

BENJAMIN. It's the police.

ELEONORA. Ah, yes, that's the way it sounded when they came to take

father away--and then I became ill.--And now they are coming to take me.

BENJAMIN [Rushing to the door and guarding it]. No, no, they must not

take you. I shall defend you, Eleonora.

ELEONORA. That's very beautiful, Benjamin, but you mustn't do that.

BENJAMIN [Looking thro' curtain]. There are two of them. [Eleonora tries

to push Benjamin aside. He protests mildly.] No, no, not you, then--I

don't want to live any longer.

ELEONORA. Benjamin, go and sit down in that chair, child, sit down.

[Benjamin obeys much against his will.]

ELEONORA [Peeps thro' curtain]. Oh! [Laughs.] It's only some boys. Oh,

we doubters! Do you think that God would be angry, when I didn't do any

harm, only acted thoughtlessly? It served me right--I shouldn't have

doubted.

BENJAMIN. But tomorrow that man will come and take the things.

ELEONORA. Let him come. Then we'll go out under the sky, away from

everything--away from all the old home things that father gathered for

us, that I have seen since I was a child. Yes, one should never own

anything that ties one down to earth. Out, out on the stony ways to

wander with bruised feet, for that road leads upward. That's why it's

the hard road.

BENJAMIN. Now you are so serious again!

ELEONORA. We must be today. But do you know what will be hardest to part

with? This dear old clock. We had it when I was born and it has measured

out all my hours and days. [She takes the clock from table.] Listen,

it's like a heart beating,--just like a heart.--They say it stopped

the very hour that grandfather died. We had it as long ago as that.

Good-bye, little timekeeper, perhaps you'll stop again soon. [Putting

clock on table again.] Do you know, it used to gain time when we had

misfortune in the house, as tho' it wished to hasten thro' the hours

of evil, for our sake of course. But when we were happy it used to slow

down so that we might enjoy longer. That's what this good clock did. But

we have another, a very bad one--and now it has to hang in the kitchen.

It couldn't bear music, and as soon as Elis would play on the piano it

would start to strike. Oh, you needn't smile; we all noticed it, not I

alone, and that's why it has to stay out in the kitchen now, because it

wouldn't behave. But Lina doesn't like it either, because it won't be

quiet at night, and she cannot time eggs by it. When she does, the

eggs are sure to be hard-boiled--so Lina says. But now you are laughing

again.

BENJAMIN. Yes, how can I help--

ELEONORA. You are a good boy, Benjamin, but you must be serious. Keep

the birch rod in mind; it's hanging behind the mirror.

BENJAMIN. But you say such funny things, that I _must_ smile. And why

should we be weeping always?

ELEONORA. Shall we not weep in the vale of tears?

BENJAMIN. H'm.

ELEONORA. You would rather laugh all the time, and that's why trouble

comes your way. But it's when you are serious that I like you best.

Remember that. [Pause.]

BENJAMIN. Do you think that we will get out of this trouble, Eleonora?

ELEONORA. Yes, most of it will take care of itself, when Good Friday

is over, but not all of it--today the birch rod, tomorrow the

Easter eggs--today snow--tomorrow thaw. Today death--tomorrow

life--resurrection.

BENJAMIN. How wise you are!

ELEONORA. Even now I can feel that it is clearing outside--and that the

snow is melting--I can smell the melting snow. And tomorrow violets will

sprout against walls facing south. The clouds are lifting--I feel it--I

can breathe easier. Oh, I know so well when the heavens are clear and

blue.--Go and pull the shades up, Benjamin. I want God to see us.

[Benjamin rises and obeys. Moonlight streams into the room.]

ELEONORA. The moon is full--Easter moon! But you know it is really the

sun shining, although the moon gives us the light--the light!

ACT III.

[Easter eve. The music before and thro' this act, Haydn's Sieben Worte.

No. 5. Adagio. Scene the same. The curtains are up. The landscape

outside is in a grey light. There is a fire in the stove. The doors are

closed. Eleonora is seated near the stove with a bunch of crocuses in

her hand. Benjamin enters from R.]

ELEONORA. Where have you been all this long time, Benjamin?

BENJAMIN. It hasn't been very long.

ELEONORA. I have wanted you so!

BENJAMIN. Have you? And where have you been, Eleonora?

ELEONORA. I went down street and bought these crocuses, and now I must

warm them. They were frozen. Poor dears!

BENJAMIN. Yes. It's so chilly today, there isn't a bit of sunshine.

ELEONORA. The sun is behind the fog. There aren't any clouds, just

sea-fog. I can smell the salt in the air.--

BENJAMIN. Did you see any birds out there?

ELEONORA. Yes, flocks of them, starting north for their summer home. And

not one will fall to the earth unless God wills it.

ELIS [Enters from R.]. Has the evening paper come yet?

ELEONORA. No, Elis.

[Elis starts to cross the room--when he is at C. Christine enters from

L.]

CHRISTINE [Without noticing Elis]. Has the paper come?

ELEONORA. No, it hasn't come.

[Christine crosses room and goes out R., passing Elis, who goes out too.

Neither looks at the other.]

ELEONORA. Huh! how cold and chilly! Hate has entered this house. As long

as love reigned one could bear it, but now,--huh! how cold!

BENJAMIN. Why were they so anxious about the evening paper?

ELEONORA. Don't you know? There will be something in it about--

BENJAMIN. What?

ELEONORA. Everything! The theft, the police, and more too--

MRS. HEYST [From R.]. Has the paper come?

ELEONORA. No, mother dear.

MRS. HEYST [As she goes out]. Let me know first when it does come.

ELEONORA. The paper, the paper! Oh, that the print shop would burn down

or that the editor were taken ill, or something--No, no. I mustn't say

that. I mustn't. Do you know, Benjamin, I was with my father last night.

BENJAMIN [Surprised]. Last night?

ELEONORA. Yes, while I slept. And then I was with my sister. She told me

that she sold thirty dollars' worth of things day before yesterday, and

that she had earned five dollars for herself.

BENJAMIN. That wasn't much.

ELEONORA. It's a great deal, Benjamin.

BENJAMIN [Slyly]. And who else did you meet in your sleep?

ELEONORA. Why do you ask that? You mustn't try to tease me, Benjamin.

You would like to know my secrets--but you mustn't.

BENJAMIN. Well, then you can't know my secrets either.

ELEONORA [Listening]. Can you hear the telephone wires humming? Now the

paper is out, and now they are 'phoning each other, "Have you read about

it?"--"Yes, indeed I have!"--"Isn't it terrible?"

BENJAMIN. What is terrible?

ELEONORA. Everything. Life is terrible, but we must be satisfied. Think

of Elis and Christine. They love each other, and yet hate has come

between them, so that when they walk thro' the room the thermometer

drops several degrees. She went to the recital last night and today they

won't speak to each other. And why,--why?

BENJAMIN. Because your brother is jealous.

ELEONORA. Don't mention that word. What do we know about it, for that

matter,--more than that it is disease and punishment? One must never

touch evil, for then one will surely catch it. Look at Elis, haven't you

noticed how changed he is since he started to read those papers?

BENJAMIN. About the law-suit?

ELEONORA. Yes. It is as if evil had crept into his soul; it is reflected

in his face and eyes. Christine feels this, and not to be contaminated

by it, she encases herself in an armor of ice. And those papers--if

I could only burn them! They are filled with meanness, falsehood and

revenge. Therefore, my child, you must keep away from evil and unclean

things, both with your lips and heart.

BENJAMIN. How you understand everything!

ELEONORA. Do you know something else that I feel? If Elis and Christine

get to know that I bought the Easter lily in that unusual way, they

will--

BENJAMIN. What will they do?

ELEONORA. They will send me back--_there_. Where I just came from. Where

the sun never shines. Where the walls are dark and bare. Where one hears

only crying and lamentation. Where I sat away a year of my life.

BENJAMIN. Where do you mean?

ELEONORA. There, where one is tortured more than in prison. Where the

unfortunate dwell, where unquiet reigns, where despair never sleeps, and

whence no one returns.

BENJAMIN. Worse than prison? How could that be?

ELEONORA. In prison one is tried and heard, but there in _that_ place no

one listens. Poor little Easter lily that was the cause of all this! I

meant so well, and it turned but so badly!

BENJAMIN. But don't you go to the florist and tell him how it happened.

You would be like a lamb led to the sacrifice.

ELEONORA. It doesn't complain when it knows that it _must_ be

sacrificed, and doesn't even seek to get away. What else can _I_ do?

ELIS [Enters from R., a letter in his hand]. Hasn't the paper come yet?

ELEONORA. No, brother dear.

ELIS [Turns toward kitchen door]. Lina must go out and get an evening

paper.

[Mrs. Heyst enters from R., Eleonora and Benjamin show fear.]

ELIS [To Eleonora and Benjamin]. Go out for a few moments. I want to

speak to mother.

[Eleonora and Benjamin go out.]

MRS. HEYST. Have you received word from the asylum?

ELIS. Yes.

MRS. HEYST. What do they want?

ELIS. They demand Eleonora's return.--

MRS. HEYST. I won't allow it. She's my own child--

ELIS.--And my sister.

MRS. HEYST. What do you mean to do?

ELIS. I don't know. I can't think any more.

MRS. HEYST. But I can. Eleonora, the child of sorrow, has found

happiness, tho' it's not of this world. Her unrest has turned to peace,

which she sheds upon others. Sane or not, she has found wisdom. She

knows how to carry life's burdens better than I do, better than all of

us. Am _I_ sane, for that matter? Was I sane when I thought my husband

innocent altho' I knew that he was convicted by the evidence, and

that he confessed? And you, Elis--are you sane when you can't see that

Christine loves you, when you believe that she hates you?

ELIS. How can I be in the wrong? Didn't she go out with my false friend

last night?

MRS. HEYST. She did, but you knew about it. Why did she go? Well, you

should be able to divine the reason.

ELIS. No. I cannot.

MRS. HEYST. You will not. Very well, then you must take the

consequences.

[The kitchen door opens a little and Lina's hand is seen with evening

paper. Mrs. Heyst takes paper and gives it to Elis.]

ELIS. That was the last misfortune. With Christine. I could carry the

other burdens, but now the last support has been pulled away and I am

falling.

MRS. HEYST. Well, fall then--but land right side up, and then you can

start again. Any news worth reading in the paper?

ELIS. I don't know. I am afraid to look at it today.

MRS. HEYST. Give it to me, then. I am not--

ELIS. No, wait a moment--

MRS. HEYST. What are you afraid of?

ELIS. The worst of all.

MRS. HEYST. The worst has happened so many times that it doesn't matter.

Oh, my boy, if you knew my life--if you could have seen your father go

down to destruction, as I did, and I couldn't warn all those to whom he

brought misfortune! I felt like his accomplice when he went down--for,

in a way, I knew of the crime, and if the judge hadn't been a man of

great feeling, who realized my position as a wife and mother, I too

would have been punished.

ELIS. What was really the cause of father's fall? I have never been able

to understand.

MRS. HEYST. Pride--pride. Which brings us all down.

ELIS. But why should the innocent suffer for _his_ wrong-doing?

MRS. HEYST. Hush. No more. [She takes paper and reads. Elis walks up and

down, worried and nervous.] Ah, what's this? Didn't I say that there was

a yellow tulip among the things stolen at the florist's?

ELIS. Yes, I remember.

MRS. HEYST. But here it says that it was an Easter lily.

ELIS [With fear]. An Easter lily? Does it say that?

[They look at each other. A long pause.]

MRS. HEYST [Sinking into a chair]. It's Eleonora. Oh, God keep us!

ELIS. It wasn't the end then.

MRS. HEYST. Prison or the asylum--

ELIS. But it's impossible. She couldn't have done this. Impossible!

MRS. HEYST. And now the family name must be dragged in disgrace again.

ELIS. Do they suspect her?

MRS. HEYST. They say that suspicion leads in a certain direction--it's

pretty plain where.

ELIS. I must talk to her.

MRS. HEYST. Don't speak harshly to her. I can stand no more. Oh, she is

lost--regained but lost again! Speak kindly to her. [She goes out R.]

ELIS [At door L.]. Oh,--[Calls] Eleonora, come out here. I want to speak

to you.

ELEONORA [Coming in, her hair down]. I was just putting up my hair.

ELIS. Never mind that. Tell me, little sister, where did you get that

flower?

ELEONORA. I took it from--

ELIS. Oh, God!

[Eleonora hangs her head, crushed, with her arms over her breast.]

ELEONORA. But I--I left money there, beside the--

ELIS. You left the money? You paid for it, then?

ELEONORA. Yes and no. It's provoking, but I haven't done anything

wrong--I meant well--do you believe me?

ELIS. I believe you, little sister--but the newspapers don't know that

you are innocent.

ELEONORA. Dear me! Then I must suffer for this also. [She bends her head

forward; her hair falls over her face.] What do they want to do with me

now? Let them do what they will!

BENJAMIN [Enters from L., beside himself]. No, no. You mustn't touch

her. She hasn't done any harm--I know it--as it was I--I--I--[He breaks

down] who did it.

ELEONORA. Don't believe what he is saying--it was I.

ELIS. What shall I believe--whom shall I believe?

BENJAMIN. Me!

ELEONORA. Me, me!

BENJAMIN. Let me go to the police--

ELIS. Hush, Benjamin, hush.

ELEONORA. No, I'll go--I'll go.

ELIS. Quiet, children. Here comes mother.

[Mrs. Heyst enters R., takes Eleonora in her arms and kisses her

tenderly.]

MRS. HEYST [Stirred]. My dear, dear child! You have come back to your

mother and you shall stay with me.

ELEONORA. You kiss me, mother? You haven't kissed me in years. Why just

now?

MRS. HEYST. Why, because now--because the florist is out there and asks

pardon for making all this fuss.--The money has been found, and your

card and--

[Eleonora springs into the arms of Elis and kisses him. Then she goes to

Benjamin and kisses him quickly on the forehead.]

ELEONORA [To Benjamin]. You good child, who wanted to suffer for my

sake! Why did you do it?

BENJAMIN. Because--I--I--like--you so much, Eleonora.

MRS. HEYST. Well, my children, put on some things now and go out into

the orchard. It's clearing up.

ELEONORA. Oh, it's clearing--and soon the sun will be shining!

[She takes Benjamin's hand and they both go out L.]

ELIS. Mother, can't we throw the rod into the fire soon?

MRS. HEYST. Not yet. There is still something--

ELIS. Is it--Lindkvist?

MRS. HEYST. Yes. He is out there. But he looks so queer and bent on

talking to you. Too bad he talks so much and always about himself.

ELIS. Let him come. Now that I have seen a ray of sunlight, I am not

afraid to meet the giant. Let him come.

MRS. HEYST. But don't irritate him. Providence has placed our destiny

in his hands--and he who humbleth himself shall be exalted and he who

exalteth himself--well--you know what happens to him.

ELIS. I know. Listen--the galoshes--squeak, squeak, squeak! Does he mean

to come in with them on? And why not? They are his own carpets.

[There are three raps on door R.]

MRS. HEYST. Elis, think of us all.

ELIS. I do, mother.

[Mrs. Heyst opens door R. Lindkvist enters, Mrs. Heyst goes out. He

is an elderly man of serious, almost tragic aspect, with black bushy

eyebrows. Round, black-rimmed eye-glasses. He carries a stout stick in

his hand, he is dressed in black, with, fur coat, and over his shoes

wears galoshes that squeak.]

LINDKVIST [After looking at Elis]. My name is Lindkvist.

ELIS [Reserved]. Heyst is my name--won't you sit down?

[Lindkvist sits in chair R. of sewing table--looks at Elis with a stern

eye.]

ELIS [After a pause]. How can I be of service?

LINDKVIST [With good humor]. H'm. Last evening I had the honor to notify

you of my intended visit, but thinking it over, and realizing that it

was a holy evening, I refrained from coming then, as my visit is not of

a social nature--and I don't talk _business_ on a holy evening.

ELIS. We are very grateful.

LINDKVIST. We are _not_ grateful. [Pause.] However, day before yesterday

I made a casual call on the Governor.--[Stops to notice how Elis takes

it.] Do you know the Governor?

ELIS [Carelessly.] I haven't that honor.

LINDKVIST. Then you shall have that honor.--We spoke about your father.

ELIS. No doubt.

LINDKVIST [Takes out a paper and lays it down on table]. And I got this

paper from him, from the Governor.

ELIS. I've been expecting this for some time, but before you go any

further allow me to ask you a question.

LINDKVIST. Go ahead.

ELIS. Why don't you put that warrant in the hands of the executors, so

we could escape this long and painful business?

LINDKVIST. So--so--my young man.

ELIS. Young or not, I ask no mercy, only justice.

LINDKVIST. Well, well, no mercy--no mercy--eh? Do you see this paper

that I put here on the corner of the table?

ELIS. Yes.

LINDKVIST. Ah,--now I put it back again. [Puts it back in his pocket.]

Well, then, justice, only justice. Listen, my young friend. Once upon

a time, I was deprived of my money and in a disagreeable manner. When I

wrote you a courteous letter, asking how much time you needed, you saw

fit to answer with an uncourteous note--and treated me as if I were a

usurer, a plunderer of widows and children--altho' I was really the one

plundered, and you belonged to the plunderer's party. But as I was more

judicious, I contented myself with answering your note courteously, but

to the point. You know my blue paper, eh? I see you do. And I can put

the seals on, too, if I choose--but I don't, not yet. [Looks around the

room.]

ELIS. As you please; the things are at your disposal.

LINDKVIST. I wasn't looking at the furniture. I looked to see if your

mother was in the room. She no doubt loves justice as much as you do?

ELIS. Let us hope so.

LINDKVIST. Good. Do you know that if justice, which you value so highly,

had its course, your mother, who only knew of your father's criminal

act, could have been imprisoned?

ELIS. No! No!

LINDKVIST. Yes! Yes! And it isn't too late even now.

ELIS [Rises]. My mother--

[Lindkvist takes out another paper, also blue, and places it on the

table.]

LINDKVIST. See--now I put down another paper, and it's blue, too, but as

yet--no seals.

ELIS. Oh, God,--my mother! "As ye sow, so shall ye reap."

LINDKVIST. Yes, my young lover of justice, "As ye sow, so shall ye

reap." That's the way it goes. Now, if I should put this question to

myself: "You, Joseph Lindkvist, born in poverty and brought up in

denial and work, have you the right at your age to deprive yourself and

children--mark you, _your children_--of the support, which you thro'

industry, economy and denial,--mark you, _denial_,--saved penny by

penny? What will you do, Joseph Lindkvist, if you want justice? You

plundered no one--but if you resent being plundered, then you cannot

stay in this town, as no one would speak to the terrible creature who

wants his own hard-earned money returned." So you see there exists a

grace which is finer than justice, and that is mercy.

ELIS. You are right. Take everything. It belongs to you.

LINDKVIST. I have right on my side, but I dare not use it.

ELIS. I shall think of your children and not complain.

LINDKVIST. Good. Then I'll put the blue paper away again.--And now we'll

go a step further.

ELIS. Pardon me, but do they intend to accuse my mother?

LINDKVIST. We will go a step further first--I take it that you don't

know the Governor personally?

ELIS. No, and I don't want to know him.

[Lindkvist takes out paper again and shakes it warningly at Elis.]

LINDKVIST. Don't, don't say that. The Governor and your father were

friends in their youth, and he wishes to see and know you. You see. "As

ye sow," and so forth, in everything--everything. Won't you go to see

him?

ELIS. No.

LINDKVIST. But the Governor

ELIS. Let us change the subject.

LINDKVIST. You must speak courteously to me, as I am defenseless. You

have public opinion on your side, and I have only justice on mine. What

have you got against the Governor? He doesn't like this and that,

what some people would call pleasure.--But that belongs to his

eccentricities, and we needn't exactly respect his eccentricities, but

we can overlook them and hold to fundamental facts as human beings; and

in the crises of human life we must swallow each other skin and hair, as

the saying goes. But will you go to see the Governor?

ELIS. Never.

LINDKVIST. Are you that sort of creature?

ELIS. Yes.

LINDKVIST [Rises, walks about waving his blue paper.] That's too

bad--too bad.--Well, then I must start from the other end.--A revengeful

person has threatened to take legal steps against your mother.

ELIS. What do you say?

LINDKVIST. Go to see the Governor.

ELIS. No.

LINDKVIST [Taking Elis by the shoulders]. Then you are the most

miserable being that I have ever met in all my experience.--And now I

shall go and see your mother.

ELIS. No, no. Don't go to her.

LINDKVIST. Will you go to see the Governor then?

ELIS. Yes.

LINDKVIST. Tell me again and louder.

ELIS. Yes.

LINDKVIST [Giving Elis blue paper]. Then that matter is over with--and

there is an end to that paper, and an end to your troubles on that

score.

[Elis takes paper without looking at it.]

LINDKVIST. Then we have number two--that was number one. Let us

sit down. [They sit as before.] You see--if we only meet each other

half-way, it will be so much shorter.--Number two--that is my claim on

your home.--No illusions--as I cannot and will not give away my family's

common property, I must have what is owing me, to the last penny.

ELIS. I understand--

LINDKVIST. So. You understand that?

ELIS. I didn't mean to offend you.

LINDKVIST. No. I gather as much. [He lifts his glasses and looks at

Elis.] The wolf, the angry wolf--eh? The rod--the rod--the giant of the

mountains, who does not eat children--only scares them--eh? And I shall

scare you--yes, out of your senses. Every piece of furniture must

come out and I have the warrant in my pocket. And if there isn't

enough--you'll go to jail, where neither sun nor stars shine.--Yes,

I can eat children and widows when I am irritated.--And as for public

opinion? Bah! I'll let that go hang. I have only to move to another

city. [Elis is silent.] You had a friend who is called Peter. He is a

debater and was your student in oratory. But you wanted him to be a sort

of prophet.--Well, he was faithless. He crowed twice, didn't he? [Elis

is silent.]

LINDKVIST. Human nature is as uncertain as things and thought. Peter

was faithless--I don't deny it, and I won't defend him--in that. But

the heart of mankind is fathomless, and there is always some gold to be

found. Peter was a faithless friend, but a friend nevertheless.

ELIS. A faithless--

LINDKVIST. Faithless--yes, but a friend, as I said. This faithless

friend has unwittingly done you a great service.

ELIS [Sneeringly]. Even that.

LINDKVIST. [Moving nearer to Elis]. As ye sow, so shall ye reap!

ELIS. It's not true of evil.

LINDKVIST. It's true of everything in life. Do you believe me?

ELIS. I must, or else you will torture the life out of me.

LINDKVIST. Not your life--but pride and malice I _will_ squeeze out of

you.

ELIS. But to continue--

LINDKVIST. Peter has done you a service, I said.

ELIS. I want _no_ services from him--

LINDKVIST. Are you there again? Then listen! Thro' your friend Peter's

intervention the Governor was able to protect your mother. Therefore you

must write and thank Peter. Promise me that.

ELIS. Any other man in the world--but not him.

LINDKVIST [Nearer to Elis]. Then I must squeeze you again. How much

money have you in the bank?

ELIS. What has that got to do with it? I cannot be responsible for my

father's debts!

LINDKVIST. Oh, indeed? Weren't you among those who ate, and drank, when

my children's money was spent in this house? Answer.

ELIS. I can't deny it.

LINDKVIST. Well, then, you must sit down immediately and write a check

for the balance. You know the sum.

ELIS [As in a dream]. Even that?

LINDKVIST. Yes, even that.--Be good enough to make it out now.

[Elis rises and takes out check-book and pen.]

LINDKVIST. Make it on yourself or an order--

ELIS. Even then it won't be enough.

LINDKVIST. Then you must go out and borrow the rest. Every penny must be

paid.

ELIS [Handing check to Lindkvist]. There--everything I have.--That is my

summer and my, bride. I haven't anything else to give you.

LINDKVIST. Then you must go out and borrow, as I said.

ELIS. I can't do it.

LINDKVIST. Then you must get security.

ELIS. No one would give security to a Heyst.

LINDKVIST. So. Then I'll propose an alternative. Thank Peter, or you

will have to come up with the whole sum.

ELIS. I won't have anything to do with Peter.

LINDKVIST. Then you are the most miserable creature that I have ever

known. You can by a simple courtesy save your mother's dwelling and your

fiancee's happiness, and you won't do it. There must be some motive that

you won't come out with. Why do you hate Peter?

ELIS. Put me to death--but don't torture me any longer.

LINDKVIST. Are you jealous of him?

[Elis shrugs his shoulders.]

LINDKVIST. So--that's the way things stand. [Rises and walks up and

down.] Did you read the evening paper?

ELIS. Yes, more is the pity!

LINDKVIST. All of it?

ELIS. No, not all.

LINDKVIST. No? Then you didn't read of Peter's engagement?

ELIS. No. That I did not know about.

LINDKVIST. And to whom do you think?

ELIS. To whom?

LINDKVIST. Why, he is engaged to Miss Alice, and it was made known at a

certain recital, where your fiancee helped spread the glad news.

ELIS. Why should it have been such a secret?

LINDKVIST. Haven't two young people the right to keep their hearts'

secrets from you?

ELIS. And on account of their happiness I had to suffer this agony!

LINDKVIST. Yes, just as others have suffered for your happiness--your

mother, your father, your fiancee, your sister, your friends. Sit down

and I'll tell you a little story.

[Elis sits, against his will, through this scene and the following. It

is clearing outside.]

LINDKVIST. It's about forty years since I came to this town, as a boy,

you understand--alone, unknown, without even one acquaintance, to seek

a position. All I owned was one silver dollar. The night that I arrived

was a dark, rainy one. As I didn't know of any cheap hotel, I asked

the passers-by about one, but no one stopped to answer. Took me for a

beggar, most likely. When I was at the height of my despair, a young man

came up and asked me why I was crying--evidently I was crying.--I told

him my need, and he turned from his course and took me to a hotel, and

comforted me with friendly words. As I entered the hotel the glass door

of a store next door was thrown open and hit my elbow and was smashed

to pieces. The furious owner of the store grabbed me and insisted that I

should pay for it, or else he would call the police. Can you imagine my

despair? The kindly-intentioned unknown man, who was a witness of

the affair, protested, and went to the trouble of calling the police

himself, explained, and saved me from a night in the street. This man

was your father! So you see, "As ye sow, so shall ye reap." And for

your father's sake, I have foregone what is owed me. Therefore take

this paper and keep your check. [Rises.] And as you find it hard to say

thanks, I'll go immediately, and especially as I find it painful to be

thanked. [Goes to door back.] Go to your mother as soon as your feet can

carry you and relieve her of her worries. [Elis starts to Lindkvist to

thank him, but Lindkvist makes a gesture toward R.] Go--

[Elis hastens out R. The center door opens and Eleonora and Benjamin

enter. On seeing Lindkvist, she shows extreme fear.]

LINDKVIST. Well, little ones, step in and have no fear. Do you know who

I am? [In a blustering voice.] I am the giant of the mountains,--muh,

muh, muh!--and yet I am not dangerous. Come here, Eleonora. [She goes to

him and he takes her head in his hand and looks into her eyes.] You have

your father's kind eyes,--he was a good man--but he was weak. [Kissing

her forehead.] There.

ELEONORA. You speak well of my father? Can it be any one wishes him

well?

LINDKVIST. I can--ask your brother Elis.

ELEONORA. Then you don't want to harm us?

LINDKVIST. No, my dear child.

ELEONORA. Well, help us then.

LINDKVIST. Child, I can't help your father in his sentence. I can't

help Benjamin in his Latin. But everything else is helped already. Life

doesn't give everything, and nothing is given for nothing. Therefore you

must help me,--will you?

ELEONORA. Poor me, what can I do?

LINDKVIST. What is the date today?

ELEONORA. Why, it's the sixteenth.

LINDKVIST. Good. Before the twentieth you must, have your brother Elis

make a call on the Governor, and you must get him to write a letter to

Peter.

ELEONORA. Is that all?

LINDKVIST. Oh, you dear child! But if he neglects these things the giant

will come again and say muh, muh!

ELEONORA. Why should the giant come and scare children?

LINDKVIST. So that the children will be good.

ELEONORA. That's true. The giant is right. [She kisses Lindkvist's coat

sleeve.] Thanks, dear giant.

LINDKVIST. You should say _Mr._ Giant, I should think.

ELEONORA. Oh, no. That's not your real name--

LINDKVIST [Laughing]. Good-bye, children. Now you can throw the rod in

the fire.

ELEONORA. No, we must keep it. Children are so forgetful.

LINDKVIST. How well you know children, little one![He goes out.]

ELEONORA. We are going to the country, Benjamin. Within two months! Oh,

if the time would only pass quickly. [She takes calendar and tears the

pages off one by one.] April, May, June, and the sun is shining on them

all. Now you must thank God, who helped us to the country.

BENJAMIN [Bashfully]. Can't I say my thanks in silence?

ELEONORA. Yes, you can say it in silence, for now the clouds are gone,

and it can be heard up there.

[Christine has entered from L. and stopped. Elis and Mrs. Heyst from R.

Christine and Elis start to meet each other with loving smiles. Before

they meet--]

CURTAIN.