Olof. I have been put under the ban to-day.
Gert (jumps up and puts his arms around Olof). God bless you, Olof! That is indeed the baptism of new birth!
Olof. I don't understand you yet. Why do you carry on like wild beasts? You seem to be outraging all that is held sacred.
Gert (picking up the broken image of a saint). Do you call this fellow holy? A St. Nicolaus, I think. Can it be possible, then, that Jesus Christ has come down and lived among us to no purpose, as we are still worshipping logs of wood? Can this be a god, which I can break to pieces? See!
Olof. But he is sacred to the people.
Gert. So was the golden calf, and so was Zeus; so were Thor and Odin, too. And yet they were struck down. (Catches sight of the Harlot.) Who's that woman? Oh, the one I tried to save by sending her in here. Tell me one thing, Olof. Have you been bought by the King?
Olof. Leave me, Gert! I hate you!
Gert. Who's that pig asleep over there?
Olof. When I face you, I seem to shrink. Leave me! I want to do my own work, and not yours.
Gert. Listen!