LAURA. Good, wait outside while I answer the Colonel's letter. [Nöjd goes. Laura writes.]
NURSE. Listen. What in the world is he doing up there now?
LAURA. Be quiet while I write.
[The sound of sawing is heard.]
NURSE [Half to herself]. Oh, God have mercy on us all! Where will this end!
LAURA. Here, give this to Nöjd. And my mother must not know anything about all this. Do you hear?
[Nurse goes out, Laura opens drawers in desk and takes out papers. The Pastor comes in, he takes a chair and sits near Laura by the desk.]
PASTOR. Good evening, sister. I have been away all day, as you know, and only just got back. Terrible things have been happening here.
LAURA. Yes, brother, never have I gone through such a night and such a day.
PASTOR. I see that you are none the worse for it all.