Sannaes (holding her hands and interrupting her). I entreat you not to say anything more! You have too much power over me; do not use it to make me sin! For it would be that--a great sin--to put two honest hearts into a false position, where they would distress one another, even perhaps get to hate one another.
Sannas (letting go her hands and stepping back). No, you must not tempt me. Life with you would mean perpetual anxiety, for I should never feel equal to what it would demand of me! But now I can part from you comforted. There will be no bitterness in my heart now; and by degrees all my thoughts of the past and of you will turn to sweetness. God bless you! May every good fortune go with you! Good-bye! (Goes quickly towards the house.)
Valborg. Sannaes! (Follows him.) Sannaes! Listen to me! (SANNAES takes up his coat and gloves, and, as he rushes out without looking where he is going, runs full tilt into BERENT who comes in at that moment followed by JAKOBSEN.)
Sannaes. I beg your pardon! (Rushes out to the right.)
Berent. Are you two playing a game of blind man's buff?
Berent. You need not be so emphatic about it! I have had forcible evidence of it. (Rubs his stomach and laughs.)
Valborg. You must excuse me! Father is in there. (Points to the left and goes hurriedly out to the right.)
Berent. We don't seem to be getting a particularly polite reception!
Jakobsen. No, we seem to be rather in the way, Mr. Berent.
Berent (laughing). It looks like it. But what has been going on?
Jakobsen. I don't know. They looked as if they had been fighting, their faces were so flushed.
Jakobsen. Yes, that's it. Ah, here is Mr. Tjaelde! (To himself.) Good Lord, how aged he looks! (Withdraws into the background as BERENT goes forward to greet TJAELDE, who comes in.)
Tjaelde (to BERENT). I am delighted to see you! You are always welcome in our little home--and this year more welcome than ever!
Berent. Because things are going better than ever this year! I congratulate you on your discharge--and also on your determination to pay everything in full!
Berent. Well, things are going splendidly, aren't they?
Berent. You are over the worst of it, now that you have laid the foundations of a new business and laid them solidly.