Martha.
Listen, Johan, and I will tell you in what light I have seen you. [Points down to the garden.] Do you see that girl playing on the lawn with Olaf? That is Dina. Do you remember that confused letter you wrote me when you went away? You asked me to believe in you. I have believed in you, Johan. All the bad things that there were rumours of afterwards must have been done in desperation, without thought, without purpose——
Johan.
What do you mean?
Martha.
Oh, you understand me well enough; no more of that. But you had to go away—to begin afresh—a new life. See, Johan, I have stood in your place here, I, your old playfellow. The duties you forgot, or could not fulfil, I have fulfilled for you. I tell you this, that you may have the less to reproach yourself with. I have been a mother to that much-wronged child; I have brought her up as well as I could——
Johan.
And thrown away your whole life in doing so!
Martha.
It has not been thrown away. But you have been long of coming, Johan.