BARBRO. [To the KING] Are you the Councillor?
KING. What do you want of him?
BARBRO. Mr. Syndic, we are the bereaved dependents of Mons Nilsson, and we have come to pray that you put in a good word for us with the King.
KING. Why do you think the Councillor's word will be of any help?
BARBRO. We have been told that he is the King's only friend, and we thought he might help us to get back the property of which we have been unjustly deprived.
KING. Unjustly, you say? As a traitor, Mons Nilsson was judged forfeit of life and goods—which was only just!
BARBRO. But the dower of the innocent widow should not have been taken with the rest.
KING. What is your name?
BARBRO. I was baptised with the name of Barbro, and the King himself acted as my godfather when he was in Dalecarlia at that time.
KING. [Rises, but sits down again immediately] Barbro?—Have you ever seen the King?