The beggars leave.
KING. I wonder who sent them? Somebody must have sent them!—Knock again. [JOHAN does so] What unspeakable humiliation! You see, my son, that no matter how high up you get, new and then you have to climb down again. But of anything like this I never dreamt.
[He takes off his hat and wipes his forehead.
JOHAN. May I speak?
KING. No, you may not, for I know what you mean to say.
MONS NILSSON'S widow enters, led by BARBRO. Both are in mourning, and BARBRO carries a document in her hand.
BARBRO. [To her mother] That must be the Councillor himself.
WIDOW. Can that be Herman Israel who is sitting there? My eyes have grown blind with sorrow.
BARBRO. It must be him.
The two women approach the KING.