Lona: Now we are alone, Martha. You have lost her and I him.
Martha: You--lost him?
Lona: Oh, I had already half lost him over there. The boy was longing to stand on his own feet; that was why I pretended to be suffering from homesickness.
Martha: So that was it? Ah, then I understand why you came. But he will want you back, Lona.
Lona: An old step-sister--what use will he have for her now? Men break many very dear ties to win their happiness.
Martha: That sometimes is so.
Lona: But we two will stick together, Martha.
Martha: Can I be anything to you?
Lona: Who more so? We two foster-sisters--haven't we both lost our children? Now we are alone.
Martha: Yes, alone. And therefore, you ought to know this too--I loved him more than anything in the world.