Manders.
[Turns round in terror.] Are you after me here, too?
Engstrand.
Yes, strike me dead, but I must! Oh, Lord! what am I saying? But this is a terrible ugly business, your Reverence.
Manders.
[Walks to and fro.] Alas! alas!
Regina.
What's the matter?
Engstrand.
Why, it all came of this here prayer-meeting, you see. [Softly.] The bird's limed, my girl. [Aloud.] And to think it should be my doing that such a thing should be his Reverence's doing!
Manders.
But I assure you, Engstrand
Engstrand.
There wasn't another soul except your Reverence as ever laid a finger on the candles down there.
Manders.
[Stops.] So you declare. But I certainly cannot recollect that I ever had a candle in my hand.
Engstrand.
And I saw as clear as daylight how your Reverence took the candle and snuffed it with your fingers, and threw away the snuff among the shavings.
