THYRA. Let's pray God to let one fall.
ERIC. One shouldn't pray God for anything nice—that is, to eat!—Oh, little peach, won't you fall? I want you to fall! [A peach falls from the tree, and ERIC picks it up] There, what a nice tree!
THYRA. But now you must give me half, for it was I who said that the tree had to be shaken——
OLD LADY. [Enters with a big birch rod] So you have been shaking the tree—now you'll see what you'll get, you nasty children——
ERIC. No, grandmother, we didn't shake the tree!
OLD LADY. So you are lying, too. Didn't I hear Thyra say that the tree had to be shaken? Come along now, and I'll lock you up in the cellar where neither sun nor moon is to be seen——
AMELIA. [Coming forward] The children are innocent, mother.
OLD LADY. That's a fine thing—to stand behind the bushes listening, and then to teach one's own children how to lie besides!
NEIGHBOUR. [Appearing] Nothing has been spoken here but the truth, madam.
OLD LADY. Two witnesses behind the bushes—exactly as if we were in court. But I know the tricks, I tell you, and what I have heard and seen is sufficient evidence for me.—Come along, you brats!