Falk.
And how have you discovered—
Guldstad.
That you love her?
That in your eyes 'twas easy to discover.
Let her too know it.
[Presses his hand.
Now I will go in.
Let the jest cease and earnest work begin;
And if you undertake that till the end
You'll be to her no less a faithful friend,
A staff to lean on, and a help in need,
Than I can be—
[Turning to Svanhild.
Why, good, my offer's nought; Cancel it from the tables of your thought. Then it is I who triumph in very deed; You're happy, and for nothing else I fought.
[To Falk.
And, apropos—just now you spoke of cash, Trust me, 'tis little more than tinsell'd trash. I have no ties, stand perfectly alone; To you I will make over all I own; My daughter she shall be, and you my son. You know I have a business by the border: There I'll retire, you set your home in order, And we'll foregather when a year is gone. Now, Falk, you know me; with the same precision Observe yourself: the voyage down life's stream, Remember, is no pastime and no dream. Now, in the name of God—make your decision!
[Goes into the house. Pause. Falk and Svanhild look shyly at each other.
