MOTHER-IN-LAW. Is he free to follow his conscience, or is he not?
QUEEN. If you will leave his conscience alone, he will be free.
MOTHER-IN-LAW. Well, I am going, and you know where, Johan. [She goes out.
QUEEN. Johan!
JOHAN. What do you wish?
QUEEN. That you do not desert your childhood faith.
JOHAN. My childhood faith, which I got from my nurse, and not from you, was also the childhood faith of my father. Why did you not give me yours?
QUEEN. Yes, punish me. You have a right to do so. Everything comes home to us now. I was young then. Life was nothing but a game. The King demanded my company at banquets and festivities, and so your cradle was left unattended and unguarded. Those were the days when we were drunk with victory and happiness. And now!—Go where you find it possible to worship, Johan, and pray for your mother!
JOHAN. If it hurts my gracious mother, I won't go.
QUEEN. Pray for us all! [In a lowered voice] I do not know the new prayers and must not use the old ones!—Hush now! The King is coming.