Tjaelde. Now let us go to your mother. (The curtain falls as they go out together.)
ACT IV
(SCENE.—In the garden of TJAELDE'S new home, on the shore of the fjord, three years later. A view of tranquil sunlit sea, dotted with boats, in the background. On the left a portion of the house is seen, with an open window within which VALBORG is seen writing at a desk. The garden is shaded with birch trees; flower-beds run round the house, and the whole atmosphere one of modest comfort. Two small garden tables and several chairs are in the foreground on the right. A chair standing by itself, further back, has evidently had a recent occupant. When the curtain rises the stage is empty, but VALBORG is visible at the open window. Soon afterwards TJAELDE comes in, wheeling MRS. TJAELDE in an invalid chair.)
Mrs. Tjaelde. Another lovely day!
Tjaelde. Tjaelde. Lovely! There was not a ripple on the sea last night. I saw a couple of steamers far out, and a sailing ship that had hove to, and the fisher-boats drifting silently in.
Mrs. Tjaelde. And think of the storm that was raging two days ago!
Tjaelde. And think of the storm that broke over our lives barely three years ago! I was thinking of that in the night.
Mrs. Tjaelde. Sit down here with me.
Tjaelde. Shall we not continue our stroll?
Mrs. Tjaelde. The sun is too hot.