[Broom goes bumping along and finally leans against
altar.]
PEHR. [Walks rapidly over to holy-water fount, by confessional,
takes holy-water sprinkler and sprinkles out into the church.]
Away, spectres and evil spirits! [As he lays back sprinkler a noise
is heard from the confessional.] Someone is there! Reverend Father,
hear me and accept the sighs of a broken heart!
LISA. [In assumed voice--from confessional.] Speak, my son.
PEHR. How shall I leave my dreams?
LISA. Oh, you have dreamed enough and you are no longer young.
Think of your missteps--have you not made such?
PEHR. Yes, I have pursued fortune and have sacrificed conscience
and honor in order to win fame and power. Now I cannot bear
misfortune, and hate myself!
LISA. Then you have ceased to love yourself above all else?
PEHR. Yes.--I would free myself from _self_--if I could.
LISA. Then, Pehr, you can also love another.
PEHR. Oh, yes! But where shall I seek her?
LISA. [Comes out.] Here! [They embrace.]
PEHR. Now you will not leave me again?
LISA. No, Pehr, for now I believe you love me.
PEHR. What good fairy sent you across my pathway?
LISA. Do you still believe in good fairies? Mark you, when a little
baby boy is born into the world, a little baby girl is also born
somewhere; and they seek and seek until they find each other.
Sometimes they go amiss as to the right one, then it turns out
badly; sometimes they never find each other, then there is much
sorrow and affliction; but when they find each other, then there is
joy, and it is the greatest joy life holds.
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