CONFESSOR. Are you sure?
STRANGER. Yes.
CONFESSOR. She'll come to you. (He goes down to the bank and beckons to the right.)
STRANGER. Wait! I'm wondering whether it's wise!
CONFESSOR. It can do no harm.
(He beckons once more. A boat appears on the river, rowed by a young girl. She is wearing summer clothing, her head is bare and her fair hair is hanging loose. She gets out of the boat behind the willow tree. The CONFESSOR draws back until he is near the ferryman's hut, but remains in sight of the audience. The STRANGER has waved to the girl and she has answered him. She now comes on to the stage, runs into the STRANGER'S arms, and kisses him.)
DAUGHTER. Father. My dear father!
STRANGER. Sylvia! My child!
DAUGHTER. How in the world do you come to be up here in the mountains?
STRANGER. And how have you got here? I thought I'd managed to hide so well.