CONFESSOR (in the door of the ferryman's hut; sternly to the STRANGER). Come. Everything's ready!
STRANGER. No. Not yet. I must first set my house in order; and look after this woman, who was once my wife.
CONFESSOR. Oh, so you want to stay!
STRANGER. No. I don't want to stay; but I can't leave duties behind me unfulfilled. This woman's on the road, deserted, without a home, without money!
CONFESSOR. What has that to do with us? Let the dead bury their dead!
STRANGER. Is that your teaching?
CONFESSOR. No, yours.... Mine, on the other hand, commands me to send a Sister of Mercy here, to look after this unhappy one, who... who... The Sister will soon be here!
STRANGER. I shall count on it.
CONFESSOR (taking the STRANGER by the hand and drawing him away.) Then come!
STRANGER (in despair). Oh, God in heaven! Help us every one!