MARCUS. [Enters] Two Dalecarlians ask to see you.
ISRAEL. Tell them to wait.
MARCUS goes out.
JACOB. They'll pay for it with their heads.
ISRAEL. Who are they, then?
JACOB. Anders Persson of Rankhyttan and Mons Nilsson of Aspeboda, who have tried in vain to get an audience with the King, and who are now moved by their futile anger to turn to you for revenge.
ISRAEL. So you know that, too?
JACOB. Without wishing to show you any disrespect, father—how can a man of your age believe that secrets exist?
ISRAEL. Time has run away from me. I don't know any longer where I stand.
JACOB. Now you speak the truth! And I don't think that you estimate the results of your venture correctly.