Bishop. My boy—!
Hagbart. I feel hurt both on her account and on my own. It shows that you know neither of us.
Bishop. Let us sit down and talk quietly, Hagbart.
Hagbart. I must ask you to make no attempt to persuade me to alter my decision.
Bishop. Make your mind easy on that score. Your feelings do you honour—and I know now that she is worthy of them.
Hagbart. What—do you say that? (They sit down.)
Bishop. My dear Hagbart, let me tell you this at once. I have gone through an experience, too, since the last time we met. And it has taught me that I had no right to treat Mrs. Falk as I did.
Hagbart. Is it possible?
Bishop. I judged her both too quickly and too harshly. That is one of our besetting sins. And I have paid too much heed to the opinion of others, and too little to the charity that should give us courage to do good. She, whom I despised, has taught me that.
Hagbart. You do not know how grateful and how happy you have made me by saying that!