THE LADIES [from mouth to mouth].
Refused! Refused! Refused!
[They gather in little groups about the garden.
STIVER [dumfounded].
He courting? How?
STRAWMAN.
Yes, think! He laugh'd at us, ha, ha—but now—
[They gaze at each other speechless.
ANNA [to LIND].
That's good! He was too horrid, to be sure!
LIND [embracing her].
Hurrah, now thou art mine, entire and whole.
[They go outside into the garden.
GULDSTAD [looking back towards SVANHILD].
Something is shattered in a certain soul;
But what is yet alive in it I'll cure.
STRAWMAN [recovering himself and embracing STIVER].
Now then, you can be very well contented
To have your dear fiancee for a spouse.