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Page 97
HOSTESS (coming across to their table). Well, look at that! I
suppose she's your sister?
STRANGER. Yes. We can say so now.
HOSTESS (to the LADY). Fancy meeting someone I can speak to at
last! This gentleman's so silent, you see, that one feels at once
one must respect him; particularly as he seems to have had trouble.
But I can say this to his sister, and he shall hear it: that from
the moment he entered the house I felt that I was blessed. I'd been
dogged by misfortune; I'd no lodger, my only cow had died, my
husband was in a home for drunkards and my children had nothing to
eat. I prayed God to send me help from heaven, because I expected
nothing more on earth. Then this gentleman came. And apart from
giving me double what I asked, he brought me good luck--and my
house was blessed. God bless you, good sir!
STRANGER (getting up excitedly). Silence, woman. That's blasphemy!
LADY. He won't believe. O God! He won't believe. Look at me!
STRANGER. When I look at you, I do believe. She's giving me her
blessing! And I, who'm damned, have brought a blessing on her! How
can I believe it? I, of all men! (He falls down by the table and
weeps in his hands.)
LADY. He's weeping! Tears, rain from heaven, that can soften rocks,
are falling on his stony heart. ... He's weeping!
HOSTESS. He? Who has a heart of gold! Who's been so open handed and
so good to my children!
LADY. You hear what she says!
HOSTESS. There's only one thing about him I don't understand; but I
don't want to say anything unpleasant. ...
LADY. What is it?
HOSTESS. Only a trifle; and yet ...
LADY. Well?
HOSTESS. He didn't like my dogs.
LADY. I can't blame him for not caring for an impure beast. I hate
everything animal, in myself and others. I don't hate animals on
that account, for I hate nothing that's created. ...
STRANGER. Thank you, Ingeborg!
LADY. You see! I've an eye for your merits, even though you don't
believe it. ... Here comes the Confessor.
(The CONFESSOR enters.)
HOSTESS. Then I'll go; for the Confessor has no love for me.
LADY. The Confessor loves all mankind.
CONFESSOR (coming forward and speaking to the LADY). You best of
all, my child; for you're goodness itself. Whether you're beautiful
to look at, I can't see; but I know you must be, because you're
good. Yes, you were the bride of my youth, and my spiritual mate;
and you'll always be so, for you gave me what you were never able
to give to others. I've lived your life in my spirit, suffered your
pains, enjoyed your pleasures--pleasure rather, for you'd no others
than what your child gave you. I alone have seen the beauty of your
soul--my friend here has divined it; that's why he felt attracted
to you--but the evil in him was too strong; you had to draw it out
of him into yourself to free him. Then, being evil, you had to
suffer the worst pains of hell for his sake, to bring atonement.
Your work's ended. You can go in peace!
LADY. Where?
CONFESSOR. Up there. Where the sun's always shining.
LADY (rising). Is there a home for me there, too?
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