"Love cannot be forced."
"Then I must go away again."
"And I shall stay at home," said Annele, indifferently; "I shall stay with my children."
"They are as much mine as yours."
"Of course," said Annele, in the same hard voice.
"There is the clock beginning to play!" cried Lenz, in distress, "and that merry waltz too! I wish I might never hear another note. Oh, if one would but dash out these miserable brains that have lost all power to think! Can you not speak one kind word, Annele?"
"I know of none."
"Then I will. Let there be peace between us, and all will be well."
"I am willing."
"Can you not throw your arms about my neck and say you are glad to have me back again?"