THE PORTRESS. As it is your wish, you may wear it. When it grows too burdensome, call me, and I shall relieve you.
THE DAUGHTER. Good-bye. What can be done by you ought not to surpass my strength.
THE PORTRESS. We shall see!—But be kind to my poor friends, and don't grow impatient of their complaints.
[She disappears through the passageway. Complete darkness covers the stage, and while it lasts the scene is changed so that the linden tree appears stripped of all its leaves. Soon the blue monk's-hood is withered, and when the light returns, the verdure in the open space beyond the passageway has changed into autumnal brown.
THE OFFICER. [Enters when it is light again. He has gray hair and a gray beard. His clothes are shabby, his collar is soiled and wrinkled. Nothing but the bare stems remain of the bunch of roses. He walks to and fro] To judge by all signs, Summer is gone and Fall has come. The linden shows it, and the monk's-hood also. [Walks] But the Fall is my Spring, for then the opera begins again, and then she must come. Please, madam, may I sit down a little on this chair?
THE DAUGHTER. Yes, sit down, friend—I am able to stand.
THE OFFICER. [Sits down] If I could only get some sleep, then I should feel better—[He falls asleep for a few moments. Then he jumps up and walks back and forth again. Stops at last in front of the door with the clover leaf and pokes at] This door here will not leave me any peace—what is behind it? There must be something. [Faint dance music is heard from above] Oh, now the rehearsals have begun. [The light goes out and flares up again, repeating this rhythmically as the rays of a lighthouse come and go] What does this mean? [Speaking in time with the blinkings of the light] Light and dark—light and dark?
THE DAUGHTER. [Imitating him] Night and day—night and day! A merciful Providence wants to shorten your wait. Therefore the days are flying in hot pursuit of the nights.
The light shines unbrokenly once more.
THE BILLPOSTER enters with his dipnet and his implements.
THE OFFICER. There is the Billposter with his dipnet. Was the fishing good?