Olof. Mother, what do I hear? It can't be possible!
Mother (takes Olof by the hand and leads him over to the left, close to the wall). Listen! Do you hear? He is praying for you now in the chapel next to this room.
Olof. So that was the murmur I heard! Who is he?
Mother. You know him--Brother Mårten, of the Dominicans--
Olof. You get Satan to say prayers for me!--Forgive me, mother--I thank you for your good intention, but--
Mother (on her knees, weeping). Olof! Olof!
Olof. Don't ask me! A mother's plea might tempt the angels of heaven to recant!--Now the hymn is ended: I must go! The people are waiting.
Mother. You'll send me into my grave, Olof!
Olof (passionately). The Lord will resurrect you! (Kissing her hand.) Don't talk to me any more--I don't know what I am saying!
Mother. Listen! Listen! The people are muttering!
Olof. I'm coming! I'm coming! He who protected Daniel in the lions' den will also protect me!
(Olof ascends the stairs leading to the pulpit. Throughout the ensuing scenes a man's voice can be heard speaking with great power, but no words can be distinguished. After a while mutterings are heard, which change into loud cries.)
Mother. Are you here, child? I asked you to stay at home!
Christine. Why shouldn't I visit the house of the Lord? There is something you hide from me!
Christine. May I not hear Olof preach? It's the word of God, isn't it, mother? (The Mother remains silent.) You don't answer? What does it mean? Hasn't Olof permission to preach? Why do the people out there look so mysterious? They were muttering when I came.
Mother. Don't ask me! Go home and thank God for your ignorance!
Christine. Am I a child, then, since nobody dares to tell me--
Mother. Your soul is still pure, and nobody must defile it. What place is there for you in the battle?
Mother. Yes, here the battle rages, and so you must get out of the way. You know our lot when the men go to war.
Christine. But let me first know what it is all about. Not to know anything at all makes me so unhappy. I see nothing but a dreadful darkness, and shadows that are moving about--Give me light, so that I may see clearly! Perhaps I know these ghostly shallows?
Mother. You will shudder when you see who they are.