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Page 86
STRANGER. Yes.
CONFESSOR. She'll come to you. (He goes down to the bank and
beckons to the right.)
STRANGER. Wait! I'm wondering whether it's wise!
CONFESSOR. It can do no harm.
(He beckons once more. A boat appears on the river, rowed by a
young girl. She is wearing summer clothing, her head is bare and
her fair hair is hanging loose. She gets out of the boat behind the
willow tree. The CONFESSOR draws back until he is near the
ferryman's hut, but remains in sight of the audience. The STRANGER
has waved to the girl and she has answered him. She now comes on to
the stage, runs into the STRANGER'S arms, and kisses him.)
DAUGHTER. Father. My dear father!
STRANGER. Sylvia! My child!
DAUGHTER. How in the world do you come to be up here in the
mountains?
STRANGER. And how have _you_ got here? I thought I'd managed to
hide so well.
DAUGHTER. Why did you want to hide?
STRANGER. Ask me as little as possible! You've grown into a big
girl. And I've gone grey.
DAUGHTER. No. You're not grey. You're just as young as you were
when we parted.
STRANGER. When we ... parted!
DAUGHTER. When you left us. ... (The STRANGER does not reply.)
Aren't you glad we're meeting again?
STRANGER (faintly). Yes!
DAUGHTER. Then show it.
STRANGER. How can I be glad, when we're parting to-day for life?
DAUGHTER. Why, where do you want to go?
STRANGER (pointing to the monastery). Up there!
DAUGHTER (with a sophisticated air). Into the monastery? Yes, now I
come to think of it, perhaps it's best.
STRANGER. You think so?
DAUGHTER (with pity, but good-will.) I mean, if you've a ruined
life behind you. ... (Coaxingly.) Now you look sad. Tell me one
thing.
STRANGER. Tell _me_ one thing, my child, that's been worrying me
more than anything else. You've a stepfather?
DAUGHTER. Yes.
STRANGER. Well?
DAUGHTER. He's very good and kind.
STRANGER. With every virtue that I lack. ...
DAUGHTER. Aren't you glad we've got into better hands?
STRANGER. Good, better, best! Why do you come here bare-headed?
DAUGHTER. Because George is carrying my hat.
STRANGER. Who's George? And where is he?
DAUGHTER. George is a friend of mine; and he's waiting for me on
the bank down below.
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