That cuts the knot.
[Svanhild and the maids have meantime laid the tea-table beside the verandah steps. At Mrs. Halm’s invitation the ladies sit down. The rest of the company take their places, partly on the verandah and in the summer-house, partly in the garden. Falk sits on the verandah. During the following scene they drink tea.
Mrs. Halm [smiling].
And so our little storm is overblown.
Such summer showers do good when they are gone;
The sunshine greets us with a double boon,
And promises a cloudless afternoon.
Miss Jay.
Ah yes, Love’s blossom without rainy skies
Would never thrive according to our wishes.