Harald. Well, to-day—ought I to have put up with their allowing themselves to be treated in such an unseemly way, and their treating me in such an unseemly way?
Gertrud. Was it really as bad as that?
Harald. You would not believe what it was like, I assure you!
Gertrud (standing still). Poor father! Poor father! (Throws her arms round HARALD'S neck.) Be good to them, Harald!—just because of their faults, dear! We are their children, you know, and it is God's commandment, even if we were not their children.
Harald. If only I could take you up in my arms and carry you off home with me now! Your love takes possession of my heart and my will, and purifies both of them. I am at a crisis in my life now—and now you should be on my side!
Gertrud. Listen!—to begin with, I will go with you to your meeting to-night!
Harald. Yes, yes,—I will come and fetch you!
Gertrud. Down at the door here!
Harald. Yes!
Gertrud. And, in the next place, I am going to walls into the town with you now.