Mother. Are you here, child? I asked you to stay at home!
Christine. Why shouldn't I visit the house of the Lord? There is something you hide from me!
Mother. Go home, Christine!
Christine. May I not hear Olof preach? It's the word of God, isn't it, mother? (The Mother remains silent.) You don't answer? What does it mean? Hasn't Olof permission to preach? Why do the people out there look so mysterious? They were muttering when I came.
Mother. Don't ask me! Go home and thank God for your ignorance!
Christine. Am I a child, then, since nobody dares to tell me—
Mother. Your soul is still pure, and nobody must defile it. What place is there for you in the battle?
Christine. Battle? I thought so!
Mother. Yes, here the battle rages, and so you must get out of the way. You know our lot when the men go to war.
Christine. But let me first know what it is all about. Not to know anything at all makes me so unhappy. I see nothing but a dreadful darkness, and shadows that are moving about—Give me light, so that I may see clearly! Perhaps I know these ghostly shallows?