FALK.
But think, his Call that would not be denied—!
MISS JAY.
Tut, that's what people follow when they're free:
A bridegroom follows nothing but his bride.—
No, my sweet Anna, ponder, I entreat:
You, reared in comfort from your earliest breath—?
FALK.
Yet, sure, to suffer for the faith is sweet!
MISS JAY.
Is one to suffer for one's bridegroom's faith?
That is a rather novel point of view.
[To the ladies.
Ladies, attend!
[Takes ANNA's arm.
Now listen; then repeat
For his instruction what he has to do.
[They go into the background and out to the right in eager talk with several of the ladies; the other guests disperse in Groups about the garden. FALK stops STRAWMAN, whose wife and children keep close to him. GULDSTAD goes to and fro during the following conversation.
FALK.
Come, pastor, help young fervour in its fight,
Before they lure Miss Anna from her vows.
STRAWMAN [in clerical cadence].
The wife must be submissive to the spouse;—
[Reflecting.
But if I apprehended him aright,
His Call's a problematical affair,
The offering altogether in the air—
FALK.
Pray do not judge so rashly. I can give
You absolute assurance, as I live,
His Call is definite and incontestable—
STRAWMAN [seeing it in a new light].
Ah—if there's something fixed—investable—
Per annum—then I've nothing more to say.
FALK [impatiently].
You think the most of what I count the least;
I mean the inspiration,—to the pay!