Mayhap you’re worse than you think you are.

Åse.

To the parson? Truly I almost think so.

[Starts up.

But, oh God, I can’t! I’m the boy’s own mother;

And help him I must; it’s no more than my duty;

I must do what I can when the rest forsake him.

They’ve left him his coat; I must patch it up.

I wish I dared snap up the fur-rug as well!

What’s come of the hose?