PLAYMATE. Well, why shouldn't I take a beating for my friends?
ERIC. No, I'll do it myself!
THYRA. And I, too!
PLAYMATE. Hush! And come over here—then you won't be scolded. [They hide.
OLD LADY. [Goes to the spring] So, this is the famous spring that is said to cure everything—after the angel has stirred it up, of course!—But I suppose it is nothing but lies. Well, I might have a drink anyhow, and water is water. [She bends down over the spring] What is it I see? Eric and Thyra with a strange boy! What can it mean? For they are not here. It must be an oracle spring. [She takes a cup that stands by the spring, fills it with water and drinks] Ugh, it tastes of copper—he must have been here and poisoned the water, too! Everything is poisoned! Everything!—And I feel tired, too, although the years have not been hard on me—[She looks at her reflection in the spring and tosses her head] On the contrary, I look quite youthful—but it's hard to walk, and still harder to get up—[She struggles vainly to rise] My God, my God, have mercy! Don't leave me lying here!
PLAYMATE. [Makes a sign to the children to stay where they are; then he goes up to the OLD LADY and wipes the perspiration from her forehead] Rise, and leave your evil ways!
OLD LADY. [Rising] Who is that?—Oh, it's you, my nice gentleman, who has led the children astray?
PLAYMATE. Go, ungrateful woman! I have wiped the sweat of fear from your brow; I have raised you up when your own strength failed you, and you reward me with angry words. Go—go!
OLD LADY stares astonished at him; then her eyes drop, and she turns and goes out.
ERIC and THYRA come forward.
ERIC. But I am sorry for grandmother just the same, although she is nasty.