The Doctor. Is Rejn dead—and I—?
Evje. I saw him only a couple of hours ago, looking quite well.
The Editor (in a broken voice). Didn't you know?
All (except the DOCTOR). No!
The Doctor. Ah, that letter, that letter! (Looks in his pocket for it and his glasses.)
The Editor. I am the wretchedest man alive! (Sinks into a chair.)
The Doctor. I had a letter from my assistant, but I have not read it!
Mrs. Evje. Read it, read it!
The Doctor (reading). "I am writing in great haste. As I expect you will be going to your old friends' after the meeting, and will meet Harald Rejn there, the task will probably fall to you of telling him—(the EDITOR gets up to go, but stands still)—that Halvdan Rejn died about eight o'clock of a fresh attack of hemorrhage! (HARALD leaves GERTRUD'S side and comes forward, with a cry. The EDITOR steadies himself by holding on to the table.) No one was with him; he was found lying across the threshold of his bedroom. A copy of the newspaper was lying on the floor behind him." (HARALD, with a groan, advance threateningly towards the EDITOR.)
Gertrud. Harald, my ring!—my ring! (HARALD Stops, collects himself, buries his face in his hands and bursts into uncontrollable tears. GERTRUD puts her arms round him and holds him folded in them.)