Sannaes (stopping). You might soil your fingers, Miss Valborg! (Walks proudly away.)
Valborg (controlling herself with an effort). Well, we have offended each other now. But why should we not forgive each other as well?
Sannaes. Because you have just offended me for the second time to-day—and more deeply than the first time.
Valborg. Oh, this is too much! I spoke as I did, because I owed it to myself not to be put in a false position, and owed it to you to spare you future disappointment. And you call that insulting you! Which of us has insulted the other, I should like to know?
Sannaes. You have, by thinking such things of me. Do you realise how cruelly you have spoilt the happiest action of my life?
Valborg. I have done so quite unintentionally, then. I am only glad that I was mistaken.
Sannes (bitterly). You are glad! So it really makes you glad to know that I am not a scoundrel!
Valborg (quietly). Who said anything of the kind?
Sannaes. You! You know the weak spot in my armour; but that you should on that account believe that I could lay a trap for you and try to trade on your father's misfortune, Miss Valborg—! No, I cannot shake hands with any one who has thought so badly of me as that! And, since you have so persistently insulted me that I have lost all the timidity I used to feel in your presence, let me tell you this openly; these hands (stretching out his hands to her) have grown red and ugly in loyal work for your father, and his daughter should have been above mocking at me for them! (Turns to go, but stops.) And, one word more. Ask your father for his hand now, and hold fast to it, instead of deserting him on the very day that misfortune has overtaken him. That would be more to the point than worrying about my future. I can look after that for myself. (Turns again to go, but comes back.) And when, in his service—which will be no easy service now—your hands bear the same honourable marks of work as mine do, and are as red as mine, then you will perhaps understand how you have hurt me! At present you cannot. (He goes quickly towards the door of the outer office.)
Valborg (with a wry smile). What a temper! (More seriously.) And yet, after all—. (Looks after him. Just as SANNAES gets to the door TJAELDE'S voice is heard calling him from the top of the staircase. SANNAES answers him.)